10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

x Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 29, 2012

¨ Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number: 001-34816

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Massachusetts	04-2295040
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

100 Domino Drive, Concord, MA	01742-2892
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (978) 287-5100

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer	¨	Accelerated filer	¨
Non-accelerated filer	¨	Smaller reporting company	x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date. 1,838,716 shares of Common Stock, $0.10 par value, outstanding as of February 8, 2013.

INDEX

		Page
PART I	Financial Information
Item 1.	Financial Statements:
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 29, 2012 (unaudited) and September 29, 2012		1
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months ended December 29, 2012 (unaudited) and December 24, 2011 (unaudited)		2
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months ended December 29, 2012 (unaudited) and December 24, 2011 (unaudited)		3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months ended December 29, 2012 (unaudited) and December 24, 2011 (unaudited)		4
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements		5
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations		14
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk		18
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures		18
PART II	Other Information
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings		19
Item 1A.	Risk Factors		19
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds		19
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities		19
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures		19
Item 5.	Other Information		19
Item 6.	Exhibits		19
	Signatures		20

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

	December 29, 2012			September 29, 2012
	(Unaudited)
Assets
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	1,922,290		$	2,056,311
Marketable securities		4,705,104			4,668,864
Accounts receivable - trade, less allowance of $25,000 at December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012		1,084,604			1,380,472
Inventories		2,441,517			2,633,408
Income taxes receivable		1,006,449			859,336
Deferred income taxes		685,583			618,078
Other current assets		166,032			170,729
Total current assets		12,011,579			12,387,198
Equipment and leasehold improvements		4,101,303			4,084,886
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(3,686,283	)		(3,632,288	)
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net		415,020			452,598
Total Assets	$	12,426,599		$	12,839,796
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	152,458		$	167,313
Customer deposits		161,190			52,372
Accrued liabilities:
Accrued compensation and related expenses		261,302			316,751
Accrued expenses		174,719			176,281
Total current liabilities		749,669			712,717
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share; 7,000,000 shares authorized; 1,838,716 shares issued and outstanding at December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012		183,872			183,872
Additional paid-in capital		3,614,646			3,569,731
Accumulated other comprehensive income		9,040			10,042
Retained earnings		7,869,372			8,363,434
Total stockholders’ equity		11,676,930			12,127,079
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	12,426,599		$	12.839.796

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

1

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Net sales	$	1,596,696		$	4,440,607
Cost of sales		494,964			1,135,634
Gross profit		1,101,732			3,304,973
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative		777,897			988,353
Product development		855,411			1,071,021
Total operating expenses		1,633,308			2,059,374
Operating income (loss)		(531,576	)		1,245,599
Other income:
Interest income		7,274			477
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes		(524,302	)		1,246,076
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		(214,112	)		316,846
Net income (loss)	$	(310,190	)	$	929,230
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$	(0.17	)	$	0.51
Diluted	$	(0.17	)	$	0.50
Weighted average shares:
Basic		1,838,716			1,827,131
Diluted		1,838,716			1,857,603
Dividends paid per common share:	$	0.10		$	0.10

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

2

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Net (loss) income	$	(310,190	)	$	929,230
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		(1,002	)		—
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(311,192	)	$	929,230

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended
	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net(loss) income	$	(310,190	)	$	929,230
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		53,995			60,226
Share-based compensation		44,915			48,068
Deferred income taxes		(67,505	)		—
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities		1,002			—
Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		295,868			788,310
Inventories		191,891			644,107
Income taxes receivable		(147,113	)		316,845
Other current assets		4,697			19,153
Customer deposits		108,818			(14,721	)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		(71,866	)		(299,650	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		104,512			2,491,568
Investing Activities:
Additions to equipment and leasehold improvements		(16,417	)		(62,101	)
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities		21,532			—
Purchases of marketable securities		(59,776	)		—
Net cash used in investing activities		(54,661	)		(62,101	)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		—			2,460
Dividends paid		(183,872	)		(182,709	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(183,872	)		(180,249	)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(134,021	)		2,249,218
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period		2,056,311			9,231,717
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	$	1,922,290		$	11,480,935
Supplemental Disclosures:
Interest paid	$	—		$	—
Income taxes paid		506			—

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STATEMENT OF FAIR PRESENTATION

Interim Financial Statements. The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Technical Communications Corporation (the “Company” or “TCC”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary include all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods presented and in order to make the financial statements not misleading. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending September 28, 2013.

Certain footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted as allowed by Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and regulations. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2012 as filed with the SEC.

We follow accounting standards set by the Financial Accounting Standards Board, commonly referred to as the FASB. The FASB sets generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) that we follow to ensure we consistently report our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. References to GAAP issued by the FASB in these footnotes are to the FASB Accounting Standards Codification^TM - sometimes referred to as the Codification or ASC.

NOTE 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.

On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including but not limited to those related to revenue recognition, inventory reserves, receivable reserves, income taxes, fair value of financial instruments and share-based compensation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The accounting policies that management believes are most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:

Revenue Recognition

Product revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, delivery of the product to the customer has occurred and we have determined that collection

5

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cont’d)

of the fee is probable. Title to the product generally passes upon shipment of the product, as the products are shipped FOB shipping point, except for certain foreign shipments for which title passes upon entry of the product into the first port in the buyer’s country. If the product requires installation to be performed by TCC, all revenue related to the product is deferred and recognized upon completion of the installation. We provide for a warranty reserve at the time the product revenue is recognized.

We perform funded research and development and technology development for commercial companies and government agencies under both cost reimbursement and fixed-price contracts. Cost reimbursement contracts provide for the reimbursement of allowable costs and, in some situations, the payment of a fee. These contracts may contain incentive clauses providing for increases or decreases in the fee depending on how actual costs compare with a budget. Revenue from reimbursement contracts is recognized as services are performed. On fixed-price contracts that are expected to exceed one year in duration, revenue is recognized pursuant to the proportional performance method based upon the proportion of actual costs incurred to the total estimated costs for the contract. In each type of contract, we receive periodic progress payments or payments upon reaching interim milestones, and we retain the rights to the intellectual property developed in government contracts. All payments to TCC for work performed on contracts with agencies of the U.S. government are subject to audit and adjustment by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Adjustments are recognized in the period made. When current estimates of total contract revenue and contract costs for a product development contract indicate a loss, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is recorded. Any losses incurred in performing funded research and development projects are recognized as funded research and development expenses.

Cost of product revenue includes material, labor and overhead. Costs incurred in connection with funded research and development are included in cost of sales. Product development costs are charged to billable engineering services, bid and proposal efforts or support of business development activities as appropriate. Product development costs charged to billable projects are recorded as cost of sales, engineering costs charged to bid and proposal efforts are recorded as selling expenses, and product development costs charged to business development activities are recorded as marketing expenses. Product development costs consist primarily of personnel costs, outside contractor and engineering services, supplies and materials.

Inventory

We value our inventory at the lower of actual cost (based on first-in, first-out (FIFO)) to purchase and/or manufacture or the current estimated market value (based on the estimated selling prices, less the cost to sell) of the inventory. We periodically review inventory quantities on hand and record a provision for excess and/or obsolete inventory based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand, as well as historical usage. Due to the custom and specific nature of certain of our products, demand and usage for products and materials can fluctuate significantly. A significant decrease in demand for our products could result in a short-term increase in the cost of inventory purchases and an increase in excess inventory quantities on hand. In addition, our industry is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product development and rapid product obsolescence, any of which could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. Therefore, although we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our forecasts of future product demand, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant negative impact on the value of our inventory and would reduce our reported operating results.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. The estimated allowance for uncollectible amounts is based primarily on a specific analysis of accounts in the receivable portfolio and historical write-off experience. While management believes the allowance to be adequate, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required, which would reduce net income. The allowance recorded for accounts receivable at December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012 was $25,000.

6

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cont’d)

Investment Securities

The Company accounts for investment securities in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. All investment securities must be classified as one of the following: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. The Company holds certain marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and, as such, carries the investments at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cost of securities sold is determined based on the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, are included in investment income. The purchase discount or premium is amortized to income or expense, respectively, over the life of the securities.

Accounting for Income Taxes

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate, including those outside the United States, which may subject the Company to certain risks that ordinarily would not be expected in the United States. The income tax accounting process involves estimating our actual current exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items, such as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets. We have recorded a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets of $1.1 million as of December 29, 2012 due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize these assets. The valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to adjust our valuation allowance. Any such adjustment could materially impact our financial position and results of operation.

Due to the nature of our current operations in foreign countries (selling products into these countries with the assistance of local representatives), the Company has not been subject to any foreign taxes in recent years. Also, it is not anticipated that we will be subject to foreign taxes in the near future.

7

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cont’d)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

In determining the fair value of financial instruments, the Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. The topic provides a consistent definition of fair value which focuses on an exit price, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The topic also prioritizes, within the measurement of fair value, the use of market-based information over entity specific information and establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based on the nature of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three level hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 -	Pricing inputs are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.
Level 2 -	Pricing inputs are quoted prices for similar investments, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term through corroboration with observable market data.
Level 3 -	Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment, that is, inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

The Company’s available-for-sale securities are comprised of investments in municipal bonds, brokered certificates of deposit and mutual funds. These securities represent ownership in individual bonds in municipalities within the United States, certificates of deposit in U.S. banks and money market funds held in a brokerage account. The fair value of these investments is based on quoted prices from recognized pricing services (e.g. Standard & Poors, Bloomberg, etc), or in the case of mutual funds at their closing net asset values.

The Company assesses the levels of the investments at each measurement date, and transfers between levels are recognized on the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy regarding the recognition of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy. During the three months ended December 29, 2012 there were no transfers between levels.

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the financial instruments carried at fair value as of December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy as defined above.

8

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cont’d)

			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
December 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
Debt and certificates of deposits:
Municipal bonds	$	1,965,314	$	—	$	1,965,314
Certificates of deposit		2,739,790		—		2,739,790
Total debt instruments		4,705,104		—		4,705,104
Mutual funds:
Money market funds		907,871		907,871		—
Total mutual funds		907,871		907,871		—
Total investments	$	5,612,975	$	907,871	$	4,705,104
September 29, 2012
Debt and certificates of deposits:
Municipal bonds	$	1,925,371	$	—	$	1,925,371
Certificates of deposit		2,743,493		—		2,743,493
Total debt instruments		4,668,864		—		4,668,864
Mutual funds:
Money market funds		1,340,440		1,340,440		—
Total mutual funds		1,340,440		1,340,440		—
Total investments	$	6,009,304	$	1,340,440	$	4,668,864

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when they are deemed to be impaired. As of December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012, the Company’s assets and liabilities subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are equipment and leasehold improvements. Neither was deemed to be impaired or measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award. The expense is recognized over the employee’s requisite service period, generally the vesting period of the award. The related excess tax benefit received upon the exercise of stock options, if any, is reflected in the Company’s statement of cash flows as a financing activity rather than an operating activity. There were no excess tax benefits for the three month periods ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011.

The Company selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the method for determining the estimated fair value of its stock awards. The Black-Scholes method of valuation requires several assumptions: (1) the expected term of the stock award, (2) the expected future stock price volatility over the expected term, (3) a risk-free interest rate and (4) the expected dividend rate. The expected term represents the expected period of time the Company believes the options will be outstanding based on historical information. Estimates of expected future stock price volatility are based on the historic volatility of the Company’s common stock and the risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Note rate. The Company utilizes a forfeiture rate based on an analysis of its actual experience. The forfeiture rate is not material to the calculation of share-based compensation.

9

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cont’d)

The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated with the following assumptions (unaudited):

	Three Months Ended
	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Option term		6.5 years			6.5 years
Risk-free interest rate		0.71	%		0.94	%
Stock price volatility		66	%		68	%
Dividend yield		—			4	%

There were 1,000 options granted during the three months ended December 29, 2012, and 3,500 options granted during the three months ended December 24, 2011. The weighted average grant date fair value for the options granted during such three month periods was $3.29 and $3.43, respectively.

The following table summarizes share-based compensation costs included in the Company’s condensed consolidated income statements for the three month periods ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011 (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012		December 24, 2011
Cost of sales	$	4,074	$	4,063
Selling, general and administrative expenses		11,967		13,927
Product development expenses		28,874		30,078
Total share-based compensation expense before taxes	$	44,915	$	48,068

As of December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011, there was $409,665 and $625,373, respectively, of unrecognized compensation cost related to options granted. The unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized as the options vest. The weighted average period over which the compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 2.8 years.

The Company had the following stock option plans outstanding as of December 29, 2012: the Technical Communications Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan, the 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. There were an aggregate of 750,000 shares authorized for issuance under these plans, of which options to purchase 244,107 shares were outstanding at December 29, 2012. Vesting periods are at the discretion of the Board of Directors and typically range between zero and five years. Options under these plans are granted with an exercise price equal to fair market value at time of grant and have a term of ten years from the date of grant.

As of December 29, 2012, there were no shares available for new option grants under the 2001 Stock Option Plan; there were 47,028 shares available for grant under the 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan; and there were 54,481 shares available for grant under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the first three months of fiscal 2013 (unaudited):

	Options Outstanding
	Number of Shares									Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Life
	Unvested			Vested			Total
Outstanding, September 29, 2012		93,418			151,784			245,202		$	9.12		6.99 years
Grants		1,000			—			1,000			5.40
Vested		(1,400	)		1,400			—			8.40
Cancellations/forfeitures		(1,257	)		(838	)		(2,095	)		11.51
Outstanding, December 29, 2012		91,761			152,346			244,107		$	9.09		6.75 years

10

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cont’d)

Information related to the stock options vested and expected to vest as of December 29, 2012 is as follows (unaudited):

Range of Exercise Prices	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Exercisable Number of Shares		Exercisable Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$  0.01 - $  1.00		600		0.37	$	0.99		600	$	0.99
$  2.01 - $  3.00		15,288		2.69	$	3.00		15,288	$	3.00
$  3.01 - $  4.00		16,600		3.57	$	3.66		16,600	$	3.67
$  4.01 - $  5.00		13,400		5.95	$	4.90		11,900	$	4.90
$  5.01 - $10.00		54,400		6.49	$	7.43		44,740	$	7.47
$10.01 - $15.00		143,819		7.74	$	11.41		63,218	$	11.30
		244,107		6.75	$	9.09		152,346	$	7.97

The aggregate intrinsic value of the Company’s “in-the-money” outstanding and exercisable options as of December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011 was $38,154 and $229,987, respectively. Unvested common stock options are subject to the risk of forfeiture until the fulfillment of specified conditions.

NOTE 2. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

	December 29, 2012		September 29, 2012
	(unaudited)
Finished goods	$	8,015	$	38,406
Work in process		631,482		642,159
Raw materials		1,802,020		1,952,843
	$	2,441,517	$	2,633,408

NOTE 3. Income Taxes

During the three months ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011, the Company recorded an income tax benefit based on its expected effective tax rate for its fiscal year. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2013 has not taken any benefit for the federal research credit as the extension of this credit was approved subsequent to December 29, 2012. The Company expects this credit to have a positive effect on its effective tax rate in future periods. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 was 40.8% as compared to 25.4% for the same period of fiscal 2012, primarily because estimates made as of the end of the quarter for fiscal 2013 did not take into account any benefit for the federal research credit.

Deferred tax assets consist of tax credits, inventory differences and other temporary differences. The Company’s valuation allowance is related to the temporary differences associated with its inventory. The Company has determined that the tax benefit related to its obsolete inventory will not likely be realized, and therefore has provided a full valuation allowance against the related deferred tax asset. It is the Company’s intention to maintain the related inventory items for the foreseeable future to support equipment in the field, and therefore cannot determine when the tax benefit, if any, will be realized.

11

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cont’d)

NOTE 4. Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Net (loss) income	$	(310.190	)	$	929,230
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		1,838,716			1,827,131
Dilutive effect of stock options		—			30,472
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		1,838,716			1,857,603
Basic net (loss) income per share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.51
Diluted net (loss) income per share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.50

Outstanding potentially dilutive stock options, which were not included in the earnings per share calculations because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, were 201,019 at December 29, 2012. There were 180,264 options that had a dilutive effect at December 24, 2011.

NOTE 5. Major Customers and Export Sales

During the quarter ended December 29, 2012, the Company had two customers that represented 90% (60%, and 30%, respectively) of net sales as compared to the quarter ended December 24, 2011, during which one customer represented 97% of net sales.

A breakdown of foreign and domestic net sales is as follows (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012		December 24, 2011
Domestic	$	1,516,953	$	4,343,063
Foreign		79,743		97,544
Total sales	$	1,596,696	$	4,440,607

The Company sold products into two countries during the three month period ended December 29, 2012 and one country during the three month period ended December 24, 2011. A sale is attributed to a foreign country based on the location of the contracting party. Domestic revenue may include the sale of products shipped through domestic resellers or manufacturers to international destinations. The table below summarizes our foreign revenues by country as a percentage of total foreign revenue (unaudited).

	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Saudi Arabia		92	%		100	%
Jordan		8	%		—

A summary of foreign revenue, as a percentage of total foreign revenue by geographic area, is as follows (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
North America (excluding the U.S.)		—			—
Central and South America		—			—
Europe		—			—
Mid-East and Africa		100	%		100	%
Far East		—			—

12

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Cont’d)

NOTE 6. Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Substantially all cash equivalents are invested in money market mutual funds. Money market mutual funds held in a brokerage account are considered available-for-sale. The Company accounts for marketable securities in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. All marketable securities must be classified as one of the following: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. The Company classifies its marketable securities as available-for-sale and, as such, carries the investments at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cost of securities sold is determined based on the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, are included in investment income. The purchase discount or premium is amortized to income or expense, respectively, over the life of the securities.

As of December 29, 2012, available-for-sale securities consisted of the following (unaudited):

			Accrued Interest		Gross Unrealized				Estimated Fair Value
	Cost				Gains		Losses
Money market funds	$	328,998	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	328,998
Certificates of deposit		2,742,075		4,320		—		6,605		2,739,790
Municipal bonds		1,921,636		27,817		15,861		—		1,965,314
	$	4,992,709	$	32,137	$	15,861	$	6,605	$	5,034,102

The contractual maturities of these investments as of December 29, 2012 were as follows (unaudited):

	Cost		Fair Value
Within 1 year	$	3,274,235	$	3,275,313
After 1 year through 5 years		1,718,474		1,758,789
	$	4,992,709	$	5,034,102

The Company’s available-for-sale securities were included in the following captions in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	December 29, 2012		September 29, 2012
	(unaudited):
Cash and cash equivalents	$	328,998	$	361,584
Marketable securities		4,705,104		4,668,864
	$	5,034,102	$	5,030,448

13

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein or as may otherwise be incorporated by reference herein that are not purely historical constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements regarding anticipated operating results, future earnings, and the Company’s ability to achieve growth and profitability. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including but not limited to future changes in export laws or regulations; changes in technology; the effect of foreign political unrest; the ability to hire, retain and motivate technical, management and sales personnel; the risks associated with the technical feasibility and market acceptance of new products; changes in telecommunications protocols; the effects of changing costs, exchange rates and interest rates; and the Company’s ability to secure adequate capital resources. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For a more detailed discussion of the risks facing the Company, see the Company’s filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2012.

Overview

The Company designs, manufactures, markets and sells communications security equipment that utilizes various methods of encryption to protect the information being transmitted. Encryption is a technique for rendering information unintelligible, which information can then be reconstituted if the recipient possesses the right decryption “key”. The Company manufactures several standard secure communications products and also provides custom-designed, special-purpose secure communications products for both domestic and international customers. The Company’s products consist primarily of voice, data and facsimile encryptors. Revenue is generated principally from the sale of these products, which have traditionally been to foreign governments either through direct sale, pursuant to a U.S. government contract or made as a sub-contractor to domestic corporations under contract with the U.S. government. We have also sold these products to commercial entities and U.S. government agencies. We generate additional revenues from contract engineering services performed for certain government agencies, both domestic and foreign, and commercial entities.

Critical Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

There have been no material changes in the Company’s critical accounting policies or critical accounting estimates since September 29, 2012, nor have we adopted any accounting policy that has or will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. For further discussion of our accounting policies see Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 29, 2012 as filed with the SEC.

14

Results of Operations

Three Months ended December 29, 2012 as compared to Three Months ended December 24, 2011

Net Sales

Net sales for the quarter ended December 29, 2012 were $1,597,000, compared to $4,441,000 for the quarter ended December 24, 2011, a decrease of 64%. Sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 consisted of $1,517,000, or 95%, from domestic sources and $80,000, or 5%, from international customers as compared to the same period in fiscal 2012, during which sales consisted of $4,343,000, or 98%, from domestic sources and $98,000, or 2%, from international customers.

Foreign sales consisted of shipments to two countries during the quarter ended December 29, 2012 and one country during the quarter ended December 24, 2011. A sale is attributed to a foreign country based on the location of the contracting party. Domestic revenue may include the sale of products shipped through domestic resellers or manufacturers to international destinations. The table below summarizes our principal foreign sales by country during the first quarters of fiscal 2013 and 2012:

	2013		2012
Saudi Arabia	$	74,000	$	98,000
Jordan		6,000		—
	$	80,000	$	98.000

Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 was primarily derived from the sale of the Company’s narrowband radio encryptors to a U.S. radio manufacturer for deployment into Afghanistan amounting to $955,000. In addition, we sold engineering services amounting to $440,000 and we had sales of our link encryptor into the Middle East amounting to $73,000. Royalty income for the quarter amounted to $43,000.

Revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 was primarily derived from the sale of the Company’s narrowband radio encryptors to a U.S. radio manufacturer for deployment into Afghanistan amounting to $4,322,000. We also had sales of our link encryptors into the Middle East for $93,000.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 was $1,102,000, compared to gross profit of $3,305,000 for the same period of fiscal 2012. Gross profit expressed as a percentage of sales was 69% for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and 75% for the first quarter of fiscal 2012. The decrease in the gross profit percentage was primarily the result of lower margin engineering services revenue during the quarter ended December 29, 2012.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2013 were $778,000, compared to $988,000 for the same quarter in fiscal 2012. This decrease of 21% was attributable to a decrease in selling and marketing expenses of $160,000 and a decrease in general and administrative expenses of $50,000 during the first quarter of the 2013 fiscal year.

The decrease in selling and marketing costs for the three months ended December 29, 2012 was primarily attributable to a decrease in product evaluation costs of $214,000 and a decrease in personnel-related costs of $36,000. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in engineering sales support expenses of $35,000, as well as an increase in outside commissions and sales and marketing agreements of $46,000.

15

The decrease in general and administrative costs during the first quarter of 2013 was primarily attributable to decreases in personnel-related costs of $30,000, charitable contributions of $20,000 and professional and other public company fees of $25,000 for the period. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in recruiting costs of $21,000.

Product Development Costs

Product development costs for the quarter ended December 29, 2012 were $855,000, compared to $1,071,000 for the quarter ended December 24, 2011, a decrease of $216,000 or 20%. The decrease was attributable to project development cost decreases in outside contractor costs of $188,000 and personnel-related costs of $46,000. There was also a decrease in recruiting costs of $31,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The decrease was partially offset by increases in project material costs of $21,000 and a decrease in engineering support of business development activities, which increased product development costs by approximately $20,000.

Product development costs are charged to billable engineering services, bid and proposal efforts or support of business development activities as appropriate. Product development costs charged to billable projects are recorded as cost of sales, engineering costs charged to bid and proposal efforts are recorded as selling expenses, and product development costs charged to business development activities are recorded as marketing expenses.

The Company actively sells its engineering services in support of funded research and development. The receipt of these orders is sporadic, although such programs can span over several months. In addition to these programs, the Company also invests in research and development to enhance its existing products or to develop new products, as it deems appropriate. There was $440,000 of billable engineering services revenue generated during the first quarter of fiscal 2013 and no billable engineering services revenue generated during the same period of fiscal 2012.

Net Income

The Company generated a net loss of $310,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 2013, compared to net income of $929,000 for the same period of fiscal 2012. This 133% decrease in net income is primarily attributable to a 64% decrease in sales volume, which was partially offset by a 21% decrease in operating expenses during the first quarter of fiscal 2013. The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $214,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2013 based on its expected effective tax rate of 41% for the 2013 fiscal year. This compares to a tax provision of $317,000 recorded in the three month period ended December 24, 2011.

The effects of inflation and changing costs have not had a significant impact on sales or earnings in recent years. As of December 29, 2012, none of the Company’s monetary assets or liabilities was subject to foreign exchange risks. The Company usually includes an inflation factor in its pricing when negotiating multi-year contracts with customers.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $134,000 to $1,922,000 as of December 29, 2012, from a balance of $2,056,000 at September 29, 2012. This decrease was primarily attributable to the payment of cash dividends of $184,000, capital acquisitions of $16,000, a net loss of $310,000 and an increase in income taxes receivable of $116,000 during the first three months of fiscal 2013. These were partially offset by decreases in accounts receivable, inventory and customer deposits of $296,000, $192,000 and $109,000, respectively.

During the first three months of fiscal 2013, the Company paid cash dividends of $184,000. The payment of these dividends was based on the profits generated by the Company during prior periods. It is not the

16

Company’s intention to pay dividends on a regular basis unless future profits warrant such actions. The Board of Directors decided on December 6, 2012 that it would suspend consideration of future dividends until such time as the Company’s revenue and profit performance justified it.

It is anticipated that our cash balances and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to fund our near-term research and development and marketing activities. We also believe that, in the long term, an anticipated improvement in business prospects, current billable activities and cash from operations will be sufficient to meet the development goals of the Company, although we can give no assurances. Although expected to decrease in fiscal 2013, any material increase in activities - either billable or new product related - will require additional resources, which we may not be able to fund through cash from operations. In circumstances where resources will be insufficient, the Company will look to other sources of financing, including debt and/or equity investments.

Backlog at December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011 amounted to $905,000 and $2,921,000, respectively. The orders in backlog at December 29, 2012 are expected to ship over the next nine months depending on customer requirements and product availability.

The Company has a line of credit agreement with Bank of America (the “Bank”) for a line of credit not to exceed the principal amount of $600,000. The line is supported by a financing promissory note. The loan is a demand loan with interest payable at the Bank’s prime rate plus 1% on all outstanding balances. The loan is secured by all assets of the Company (excluding consumer goods) and requires the Company to maintain its deposit accounts with the Bank, as well as comply with certain other covenants. As a result of the Company’s failure to comply with one of its loan covenants, the Bank amended the agreement on February 8, 2013 to lower the tangible net worth requirement. In addition the line will now only be available to support new letters of credit issued by the Company. Future standby letters of credit will be required to be secured with cash. There were no cash borrowings against the line during the three months ended December 29, 2012 or the fiscal year ended September 29, 2012. However, a standby letter of credit in the amount of $14,903 was issued in December 2012 and is secured by the line of credit.

Certain foreign customers require the Company to guarantee bid bonds and performance of products sold. These guaranties typically take the form of standby letters of credit. Guaranties are generally required in amounts of 5% to 10% of the purchase price and last in duration from three months to one year. At December 29, 2012 the Company had two outstanding letters of credit amounting to $32,786, one of which is secured by a cash certificate of deposit amounting to $17,883. The second in the amount of $14,903 is secured by the Company’s line of credit.

In April 2007, the Company entered into a lease for its current facilities. This lease is for 22,800 square feet located at 100 Domino Drive, Concord, MA. The Company has been a tenant in this space since 1983. This is the Company’s only facility and houses all manufacturing, research and development, and corporate operations. The initial term of the lease was for five years through March 31, 2012 at an annual rate of $159,000. In addition the lease contains options to extend the lease for two and one half years through September 30, 2014 and another two and one half years through March 31, 2017, at an annual rate of $171,000. Rent expense for the three month periods ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011 was $43,000 and $40,000, respectively. On September 30, 2011 the Company exercised its option to extend the lease for the period April 1, 2012 through September 30, 2014.

In fiscal 2012, the Company’s internal product development expenses were higher than prior years but in line with its planned commitment to research and development, and reflected the costs of product testing and production readiness efforts. During the first quarter of fiscal 2013, development expenses decreased by 21% as compared to fiscal 2012. This trend is expected to continue during the remainder of fiscal 2013, with development expenses for the year expected to be 25% lower than fiscal year 2012.

By the middle of fiscal 2013, the Company anticipates the development of three new products and expects to reorient its development investment toward collaborative product developments with major original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”). Initial work began in 2012 to establish these technical partnerships

17

and we expect that full-scale development will begin in mid-2013. The resulting products will be imbedded proprietary encryption solutions which will significantly enhance the value of the OEMs’ products and allow TCC encryption to be carried to the market by major equipment providers.

In 2012, the Company substantially completed development of the HSE 6000, a low-cost, battery-powered man-borne encryptor that provides highly secure communications between personnel and base command units. The HSE 6000 is designed for the rugged environments of military and police operations and can function with most VHF and HF radios systems. The HSE 6000 can interoperate with the TCC DSP 9000 Radio Encryption System which is deployed extensively throughout the world. Customer field testing is expected to begin in 2013.

In 2011, the Company began development of an advanced, 100Mbs through 1Gbs family of IP encryptors and the KeyNet Optical Management system to service private network markets for government, military and satellite users. This new network product, named the CX7211, is scheduled for installation with initial customers in 2013. The CX7211 is the first IP encryptor that is expandable, which allows its throughput capacity to be easily increased as network loads increase. TCC believes this feature makes the CX7211 very cost-effective for new installations and very easy to expand when the market demands it. TCC will continue, in fiscal 2013, the development of new software elements for the CX7211 which will expand the system’s capabilities and applications.

Other than those stated above, there are no plans for significant internal product development or significant capital expenditures during the remainder of fiscal 2013.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not applicable.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures. The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based on that review and evaluation, the chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that the Company’s current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, are effective to ensure that such officers are provided with information relating to the Company required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act and that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the specified time periods.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 29, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

18

PART II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

There were no legal proceedings pending against or involving the Company or its subsidiary during the period covered by this quarterly report.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Not applicable.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not applicable.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not applicable.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6. Exhibits

31.1	Certification of principal executive officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2	Certification of principal financial officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1	Certifications of Chief Executive and Chief Financial Officers pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
101.INS	XBRL Report Instance Document
101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

19

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION
		(Registrant)
February 12, 2013		By:	/s/ Carl H. Guild, Jr.
Date			Carl H. Guild, Jr., President and Chief
			Executive Officer
February 12, 2013		By:	/s/ Michael P. Malone
Date			Michael P. Malone, Chief Financial Officer

20

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Carl H. Guild, Jr., certify that:

(1) I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Technical Communications Corporation;

(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Carl H. Guild, Jr.

Carl H. Guild, Jr.

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: February 12, 2013

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION

I, Michael P. Malone, certify that:

(1) I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Technical Communications Corporation;

(2) Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

(3) Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

(4) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

(5) The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

/s/ Michael P. Malone

Michael P. Malone

Chief Financial Officer

Date: February 12, 2013

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. § 1350

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Technical Communications Corporation (the “Company”) certifies that, to his knowledge:

1) the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 29, 2012 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

2) the information contained in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 29, 2012 fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Carl H. Guild, Jr.	/s/ Michael P. Malone
Carl H. Guild, Jr.	Michael P. Malone
President and Chief Executive Officer	Chief Financial Officer
Date: February 12, 2013	Date: February 12, 2013

XML

Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities - Available-for-Sale Securities (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	$ 4,992,709
Available-for-sale securities, Accrued Interest	32,137
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	15,861
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	6,605
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	5,034,102	6,009,304
Money market funds [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	328,998
Available-for-sale securities, Accrued Interest
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	328,998
Certificates of deposit [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	2,742,075
Available-for-sale securities, Accrued Interest	4,320
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	6,605
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	2,739,790
Municipal bonds [Member]
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents Items [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Cost	1,921,636
Available-for-sale securities, Accrued Interest	27,817
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	15,861
Available-for-sale securities, Gross Unrealized Losses
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	$ 1,965,314

XML

Inventories - Schedule of Inventories (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
Inventories Net [Line Items]
Finished goods	$ 8,015	$ 38,406
Work in process	631,482	642,159
Raw materials	1,802,020	1,952,843
Total inventories	$ 2,441,517	$ 2,633,408

XML

Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Income Taxes

NOTE 3. Income Taxes

During the three months ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011, the Company recorded an income tax benefit based on its expected effective tax rate for its fiscal year. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2013 has not taken any benefit for the federal research credit as the extension of this credit was approved subsequent to December 29, 2012. The Company expects this credit to have a positive effect on its effective tax rate in future periods. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal year 2013 was 40.8% as compared to 25.4% for the same period of fiscal 2012, primarily because estimates made as of the end of the quarter for fiscal 2013 did not take into account any benefit for the federal research credit.

Deferred tax assets consist of tax credits, inventory differences and other temporary differences. The Company’s valuation allowance is related to the temporary differences associated with its inventory. The Company has determined that the tax benefit related to its obsolete inventory will not likely be realized, and therefore has provided a full valuation allowance against the related deferred tax asset. It is the Company’s intention to maintain the related inventory items for the foreseeable future to support equipment in the field, and therefore cannot determine when the tax benefit, if any, will be realized.

XML

Major Customers and Export Sales - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012 Country Customer	Dec. 24, 2011 Country
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of major customers	2
Number of countries in which products are sold	2	1
First Customer [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales represented in percentage	60.00%	97.00%
Second Customer [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales represented in percentage	30.00%
First And Second Customer [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Sales represented in percentage	90.00%

XML

Earnings Per Share - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Outstanding potentially anti-dilutive stock options	201,019
Options, dilutive effect		180,264

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Major Customers and Export Sales - Breakdown of Foreign and Domestic Net Sales (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Schedule Of Net Sales By Geographical Segment [Line Items]
Domestic	$ 1,516,953	$ 4,343,063
Foreign	79,743	97,544
Total sales	$ 1,596,696	$ 4,440,607

XML

Major Customers and Export Sales - Foreign Revenue, as Percentage of Total Foreign Revenue by Geographic Area (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Saudi Arabia [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from foreign countries as a percentage of foreign revenue	92.00%	100.00%
Jordan [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from foreign countries as a percentage of foreign revenue	8.00%

XML

Inventories

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Inventories

NOTE 2. Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

	December 29, 2012		September 29, 2012
	(unaudited)
Finished goods	$	8,015	$	38,406
Work in process		631,482		642,159
Raw materials		1,802,020		1,952,843
	$	2,441,517	$	2,633,408

XML

Major Customers and Export Sales - Foreign Revenues by Country as Percentage of Total Foreign Revenue (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
North America (excluding the U.S.) [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from geographical area as a percentage of foreign revenue
Central and South America [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from geographical area as a percentage of foreign revenue
Europe [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from geographical area as a percentage of foreign revenue
Mid-East and Africa [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from geographical area as a percentage of foreign revenue	100.00%	100.00%
Far East [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenue from geographical area as a percentage of foreign revenue

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,922,290	$ 2,056,311
Marketable securities	4,705,104	4,668,864
Accounts receivable - trade, less allowance of $25,000 at December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012	1,084,604	1,380,472
Inventories	2,441,517	2,633,408
Income taxes receivable	1,006,449	859,336
Deferred income taxes	685,583	618,078
Other current assets	166,032	170,729
Total current assets	12,011,579	12,387,198
Equipment and leasehold improvements	4,101,303	4,084,886
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization	(3,686,283)	(3,632,288)
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net	415,020	452,598
Total Assets	12,426,599	12,839,796
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable	152,458	167,313
Customer deposits	161,190	52,372
Accrued liabilities:
Accrued compensation and related expenses	261,302	316,751
Accrued expenses	174,719	176,281
Total current liabilities	749,669	712,717
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, par value $0.10 per share; 7,000,000 shares authorized; 1,838,716 shares issued and outstanding at December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012	183,872	183,872
Additional paid-in capital	3,614,646	3,569,731
Accumulated other comprehensive income	9,040	10,042
Retained earnings	7,869,372	8,363,434
Total stockholders' equity	11,676,930	12,127,079
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity	$ 12,426,599	$ 12,839,796

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Operating Activities:
Net(loss) income	$ (310,190)	$ 929,230
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	53,995	60,226
Share-based compensation	44,915	48,068
Deferred income taxes	(67,505)
Unrealized gain on available for sale securities	1,002
Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	295,868	788,310
Inventories	191,891	644,107
Income taxes receivable	(147,113)	316,845
Other current assets	4,697	19,153
Customer deposits	108,818	(14,721)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	(71,866)	(299,650)
Net cash provided by operating activities	104,512	2,491,568
Investing Activities:
Additions to equipment and leasehold improvements	(16,417)	(62,101)
Proceeds from maturities of marketable securities	21,532
Purchases of marketable securities	(59,776)
Net cash used in investing activities	(54,661)	(62,101)
Financing Activities:
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		2,460
Dividends paid	(183,872)	(182,709)
Net cash used in financing activities	(183,872)	(180,249)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(134,021)	2,249,218
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period	2,056,311	9,231,717
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period	1,922,290	11,480,935
Supplemental Disclosures:
Interest paid
Income taxes paid	$ 506

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Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities - Available-for-Sale Securities Included in Balance Sheets (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
Total	$ 5,034,102	$ 5,030,448
Cash and cash equivalents [Member]
Total	328,998	361,584
Marketable securities [Member]
Total	$ 4,705,104	$ 4,668,864

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates - Share-Based Compensation Costs (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense before taxes	$ 44,915	$ 48,068
Cost of sales [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense before taxes	4,074	4,063
Selling, general and administrative expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense before taxes	11,967	13,927
Product development expenses [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items]
Total share-based compensation expense before taxes	$ 28,874	$ 30,078

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates - Stock Options Vested and Expected to Vest (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares	244,107
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	6 years 9 months
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 9.09
Exercisable Number of Shares	152,346
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 7.97
$0.01 - $1.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower limit	$ 0.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper limit	$ 1.00
Number of Shares	600
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	4 months 13 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 0.99
Exercisable Number of Shares	600
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 0.99
$2.01 - $3.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower limit	$ 2.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper limit	$ 3.00
Number of Shares	15,288
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	2 years 8 months 9 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 3.00
Exercisable Number of Shares	15,288
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 3.00
$3.01 - $4.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower limit	$ 3.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper limit	$ 4.00
Number of Shares	16,600
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	3 years 6 months 26 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 3.66
Exercisable Number of Shares	16,600
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 3.67
$4.01 - $5.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower limit	$ 4.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper limit	$ 5.00
Number of Shares	13,400
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	5 years 11 months 12 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 4.90
Exercisable Number of Shares	11,900
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 4.90
$5.01 - $10.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower limit	$ 5.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper limit	$ 10.00
Number of Shares	54,400
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	6 years 5 months 27 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 7.43
Exercisable Number of Shares	44,740
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 7.47
$10.01 - $15.00 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Range of Exercise Prices, Lower limit	$ 10.01
Range of Exercise Prices, Upper limit	$ 15.00
Number of Shares	143,819
Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)	7 years 8 months 27 days
Weighted-Average Exercise Price	$ 11.41
Exercisable Number of Shares	63,218
Exercisable Weighted Average Exercise Price	$ 11.30

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

NOTE 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.

On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including but not limited to those related to revenue recognition, inventory reserves, receivable reserves, income taxes, fair value of financial instruments and share-based compensation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

The accounting policies that management believes are most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results include the following:

Revenue Recognition

Product revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, delivery of the product to the customer has occurred and we have determined that collection of the fee is probable. Title to the product generally passes upon shipment of the product, as the products are shipped FOB shipping point, except for certain foreign shipments for which title passes upon entry of the product into the first port in the buyer’s country. If the product requires installation to be performed by TCC, all revenue related to the product is deferred and recognized upon completion of the installation. We provide for a warranty reserve at the time the product revenue is recognized.

We perform funded research and development and technology development for commercial companies and government agencies under both cost reimbursement and fixed-price contracts. Cost reimbursement contracts provide for the reimbursement of allowable costs and, in some situations, the payment of a fee. These contracts may contain incentive clauses providing for increases or decreases in the fee depending on how actual costs compare with a budget. Revenue from reimbursement contracts is recognized as services are performed. On fixed-price contracts that are expected to exceed one year in duration, revenue is recognized pursuant to the proportional performance method based upon the proportion of actual costs incurred to the total estimated costs for the contract. In each type of contract, we receive periodic progress payments or payments upon reaching interim milestones, and we retain the rights to the intellectual property developed in government contracts. All payments to TCC for work performed on contracts with agencies of the U.S. government are subject to audit and adjustment by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Adjustments are recognized in the period made. When current estimates of total contract revenue and contract costs for a product development contract indicate a loss, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is recorded. Any losses incurred in performing funded research and development projects are recognized as funded research and development expenses.

Cost of product revenue includes material, labor and overhead. Costs incurred in connection with funded research and development are included in cost of sales. Product development costs are charged to billable engineering services, bid and proposal efforts or support of business development activities as appropriate. Product development costs charged to billable projects are recorded as cost of sales, engineering costs charged to bid and proposal efforts are recorded as selling expenses, and product development costs charged to business development activities are recorded as marketing expenses. Product development costs consist primarily of personnel costs, outside contractor and engineering services, supplies and materials.

Inventory

We value our inventory at the lower of actual cost (based on first-in, first-out (FIFO)) to purchase and/or manufacture or the current estimated market value (based on the estimated selling prices, less the cost to sell) of the inventory. We periodically review inventory quantities on hand and record a provision for excess and/or obsolete inventory based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand, as well as historical usage. Due to the custom and specific nature of certain of our products, demand and usage for products and materials can fluctuate significantly. A significant decrease in demand for our products could result in a short-term increase in the cost of inventory purchases and an increase in excess inventory quantities on hand. In addition, our industry is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product development and rapid product obsolescence, any of which could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. Therefore, although we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our forecasts of future product demand, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant negative impact on the value of our inventory and would reduce our reported operating results.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. The estimated allowance for uncollectible amounts is based primarily on a specific analysis of accounts in the receivable portfolio and historical write-off experience. While management believes the allowance to be adequate, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required, which would reduce net income. The allowance recorded for accounts receivable at December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012 was $25,000.

Investment Securities

The Company accounts for investment securities in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. All investment securities must be classified as one of the following: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. The Company holds certain marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and, as such, carries the investments at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cost of securities sold is determined based on the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, are included in investment income. The purchase discount or premium is amortized to income or expense, respectively, over the life of the securities.

Accounting for Income Taxes

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate, including those outside the United States, which may subject the Company to certain risks that ordinarily would not be expected in the United States. The income tax accounting process involves estimating our actual current exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items, such as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets. We have recorded a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets of $1.1 million as of December 29, 2012 due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize these assets. The valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to adjust our valuation allowance. Any such adjustment could materially impact our financial position and results of operation.

Due to the nature of our current operations in foreign countries (selling products into these countries with the assistance of local representatives), the Company has not been subject to any foreign taxes in recent years. Also, it is not anticipated that we will be subject to foreign taxes in the near future.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

In determining the fair value of financial instruments, the Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. The topic provides a consistent definition of fair value which focuses on an exit price, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The topic also prioritizes, within the measurement of fair value, the use of market-based information over entity specific information and establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based on the nature of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three level hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 -	Pricing inputs are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.
Level 2 -	Pricing inputs are quoted prices for similar investments, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term through corroboration with observable market data.
Level 3 -	Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment, that is, inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

The Company’s available-for-sale securities are comprised of investments in municipal bonds, brokered certificates of deposit and mutual funds. These securities represent ownership in individual bonds in municipalities within the United States, certificates of deposit in U.S. banks and money market funds held in a brokerage account. The fair value of these investments is based on quoted prices from recognized pricing services (e.g. Standard & Poors, Bloomberg, etc), or in the case of mutual funds at their closing net asset values.

The Company assesses the levels of the investments at each measurement date, and transfers between levels are recognized on the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy regarding the recognition of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy. During the three months ended December 29, 2012 there were no transfers between levels.

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the financial instruments carried at fair value as of December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy as defined above.

			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
December 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
Debt and certificates of deposits:
Municipal bonds	$	1,965,314	$	—	$	1,965,314
Certificates of deposit		2,739,790		—		2,739,790
Total debt instruments		4,705,104		—		4,705,104
Mutual funds:
Money market funds		907,871		907,871		—
Total mutual funds		907,871		907,871		—
Total investments	$	5,612,975	$	907,871	$	4,705,104
September 29, 2012
Debt and certificates of deposits:
Municipal bonds	$	1,925,371	$	—	$	1,925,371
Certificates of deposit		2,743,493		—		2,743,493
Total debt instruments		4,668,864		—		4,668,864
Mutual funds:
Money market funds		1,340,440		1,340,440		—
Total mutual funds		1,340,440		1,340,440		—
Total investments	$	6,009,304	$	1,340,440	$	4,668,864

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when they are deemed to be impaired. As of December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012, the Company’s assets and liabilities subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are equipment and leasehold improvements. Neither was deemed to be impaired or measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award. The expense is recognized over the employee’s requisite service period, generally the vesting period of the award. The related excess tax benefit received upon the exercise of stock options, if any, is reflected in the Company’s statement of cash flows as a financing activity rather than an operating activity. There were no excess tax benefits for the three month periods ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011.

The Company selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the method for determining the estimated fair value of its stock awards. The Black-Scholes method of valuation requires several assumptions: (1) the expected term of the stock award, (2) the expected future stock price volatility over the expected term, (3) a risk-free interest rate and (4) the expected dividend rate. The expected term represents the expected period of time the Company believes the options will be outstanding based on historical information. Estimates of expected future stock price volatility are based on the historic volatility of the Company’s common stock and the risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Note rate. The Company utilizes a forfeiture rate based on an analysis of its actual experience. The forfeiture rate is not material to the calculation of share-based compensation.

The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated with the following assumptions (unaudited):

	Three Months Ended
	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Option term		6.5 years			6.5 years
Risk-free interest rate		0.71	%		0.94	%
Stock price volatility		66	%		68	%
Dividend yield		—			4	%

There were 1,000 options granted during the three months ended December 29, 2012, and 3,500 options granted during the three months ended December 24, 2011. The weighted average grant date fair value for the options granted during such three month periods was $3.29 and $3.43, respectively.

The following table summarizes share-based compensation costs included in the Company’s condensed consolidated income statements for the three month periods ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011 (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012		December 24, 2011
Cost of sales	$	4,074	$	4,063
Selling, general and administrative expenses		11,967		13,927
Product development expenses		28,874		30,078
Total share-based compensation expense before taxes	$	44,915	$	48,068

As of December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011, there was $409,665 and $625,373, respectively, of unrecognized compensation cost related to options granted. The unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized as the options vest. The weighted average period over which the compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 2.8 years.

The Company had the following stock option plans outstanding as of December 29, 2012: the Technical Communications Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan, the 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. There were an aggregate of 750,000 shares authorized for issuance under these plans, of which options to purchase 244,107 shares were outstanding at December 29, 2012. Vesting periods are at the discretion of the Board of Directors and typically range between zero and five years. Options under these plans are granted with an exercise price equal to fair market value at time of grant and have a term of ten years from the date of grant.

As of December 29, 2012, there were no shares available for new option grants under the 2001 Stock Option Plan; there were 47,028 shares available for grant under the 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan; and there were 54,481 shares available for grant under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the first three months of fiscal 2013 (unaudited):

	Options Outstanding
	Number of Shares									Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Life
	Unvested			Vested			Total
Outstanding, September 29, 2012		93,418			151,784			245,202		$	9.12		6.99 years
Grants		1,000			—			1,000			5.40
Vested		(1,400	)		1,400			—			8.40
Cancellations/forfeitures		(1,257	)		(838	)		(2,095	)		11.51
Outstanding, December 29, 2012		91,761			152,346			244,107		$	9.09		6.75 years

Information related to the stock options vested and expected to vest as of December 29, 2012 is as follows (unaudited):

Range of Exercise Prices	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Exercisable Number of Shares		Exercisable Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$  0.01 - $  1.00		600		0.37	$	0.99		600	$	0.99
$  2.01 - $  3.00		15,288		2.69	$	3.00		15,288	$	3.00
$  3.01 - $  4.00		16,600		3.57	$	3.66		16,600	$	3.67
$  4.01 - $  5.00		13,400		5.95	$	4.90		11,900	$	4.90
$  5.01 - $10.00		54,400		6.49	$	7.43		44,740	$	7.47
$10.01 - $15.00		143,819		7.74	$	11.41		63,218	$	11.30
		244,107		6.75	$	9.09		152,346	$	7.97

The aggregate intrinsic value of the Company’s “in-the-money” outstanding and exercisable options as of December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011 was $38,154 and $229,987, respectively. Unvested common stock options are subject to the risk of forfeiture until the fulfillment of specified conditions.

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable	$ 25,000	$ 25,000
Common stock, par value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common stock, shares authorized	7,000,000	7,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	1,838,716	1,838,716
Common stock, shares outstanding	1,838,716	1,838,716

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Major Customers and Export Sales (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Breakdown of Foreign and Domestic Net Sales

A breakdown of foreign and domestic net sales is as follows (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012		December 24, 2011
Domestic	$	1,516,953	$	4,343,063
Foreign		79,743		97,544
Total sales	$	1,596,696	$	4,440,607

Foreign Revenue, as Percentage of Total Foreign Revenue by Geographic Area

The table below summarizes our foreign revenues by country as a percentage of total foreign revenue (unaudited).

	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Saudi Arabia		92	%		100	%
Jordan		8	%		—

Foreign Revenues by Country as Percentage of Total Foreign Revenue

A summary of foreign revenue, as a percentage of total foreign revenue by geographic area, is as follows (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
North America (excluding the U.S.)		—			—
Central and South America		—			—
Europe		—			—
Mid-East and Africa		100	%		100	%
Far East		—			—

XML

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Feb. 08, 2013
Entity Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Dec. 29, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	TCCO
Entity Registrant Name	TECHNICAL COMMUNICATIONS CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0000096699
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-28
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,838,716

XML

Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Available-for-Sale Securities

As of December 29, 2012, available-for-sale securities consisted of the following (unaudited):

			Accrued Interest		Gross Unrealized				Estimated Fair Value
	Cost				Gains		Losses
Money market funds	$	328,998	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	328,998
Certificates of deposit		2,742,075		4,320		—		6,605		2,739,790
Municipal bonds		1,921,636		27,817		15,861		—		1,965,314
	$	4,992,709	$	32,137	$	15,861	$	6,605	$	5,034,102

Contractual Maturities of Investments

The contractual maturities of these investments as of December 29, 2012 were as follows (unaudited):

	Cost		Fair Value
Within 1 year	$	3,274,235	$	3,275,313
After 1 year through 5 years		1,718,474		1,758,789
	$	4,992,709	$	5,034,102

Available-for-Sale Securities Included in Balance Sheets

The Company’s available-for-sale securities were included in the following captions in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	December 29, 2012		September 29, 2012
	(unaudited):
Cash and cash equivalents	$	328,998	$	361,584
Marketable securities		4,705,104		4,668,864
	$	5,034,102	$	5,030,448

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Net sales	$ 1,596,696	$ 4,440,607
Cost of sales	494,964	1,135,634
Gross profit	1,101,732	3,304,973
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative	777,897	988,353
Product development	855,411	1,071,021
Total operating expenses	1,633,308	2,059,374
Operating income (loss)	(531,576)	1,245,599
Other income:
Interest income	7,274	477
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes	(524,302)	1,246,076
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(214,112)	316,846
Net income (loss)	$ (310,190)	$ 929,230
Net income (loss) per common share:
Basic	$ (0.17)	$ 0.51
Diluted	$ (0.17)	$ 0.50
Weighted average shares:
Basic	1,838,716	1,827,131
Diluted	1,838,716	1,857,603
Dividends paid per common share:	$ 0.10	$ 0.10

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Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

NOTE 6. Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Substantially all cash equivalents are invested in money market mutual funds. Money market mutual funds held in a brokerage account are considered available-for-sale. The Company accounts for marketable securities in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. All marketable securities must be classified as one of the following: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. The Company classifies its marketable securities as available-for-sale and, as such, carries the investments at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cost of securities sold is determined based on the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, are included in investment income. The purchase discount or premium is amortized to income or expense, respectively, over the life of the securities.

As of December 29, 2012, available-for-sale securities consisted of the following (unaudited):

			Accrued Interest		Gross Unrealized				Estimated Fair Value
	Cost				Gains		Losses
Money market funds	$	328,998	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	328,998
Certificates of deposit		2,742,075		4,320		—		6,605		2,739,790
Municipal bonds		1,921,636		27,817		15,861		—		1,965,314
	$	4,992,709	$	32,137	$	15,861	$	6,605	$	5,034,102

The contractual maturities of these investments as of December 29, 2012 were as follows (unaudited):

	Cost		Fair Value
Within 1 year	$	3,274,235	$	3,275,313
After 1 year through 5 years		1,718,474		1,758,789
	$	4,992,709	$	5,034,102

The Company’s available-for-sale securities were included in the following captions in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:

	December 29, 2012		September 29, 2012
	(unaudited):
Cash and cash equivalents	$	328,998	$	361,584
Marketable securities		4,705,104		4,668,864
	$	5,034,102	$	5,030,448

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Major Customers and Export Sales

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Major Customers and Export Sales

NOTE 5. Major Customers and Export Sales

During the quarter ended December 29, 2012, the Company had two customers that represented 90% (60%, and 30%, respectively) of net sales as compared to the quarter ended December 24, 2011, during which one customer represented 97% of net sales.

A breakdown of foreign and domestic net sales is as follows (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012		December 24, 2011
Domestic	$	1,516,953	$	4,343,063
Foreign		79,743		97,544
Total sales	$	1,596,696	$	4,440,607

The Company sold products into two countries during the three month period ended December 29, 2012 and one country during the three month period ended December 24, 2011. A sale is attributed to a foreign country based on the location of the contracting party. Domestic revenue may include the sale of products shipped through domestic resellers or manufacturers to international destinations. The table below summarizes our foreign revenues by country as a percentage of total foreign revenue (unaudited).

	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Saudi Arabia		92	%		100	%
Jordan		8	%		—

A summary of foreign revenue, as a percentage of total foreign revenue by geographic area, is as follows (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
North America (excluding the U.S.)		—			—
Central and South America		—			—
Europe		—			—
Mid-East and Africa		100	%		100	%
Far East		—			—

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates - Stock Option Activity (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Beginning balance, Outstanding, Unvested	93,418
Grants, Unvested	1,000
Vested, Unvested	(1,400)
Cancellations/forfeitures, Unvested	(1,257)
Ending balance, Outstanding, Unvested	91,761
Beginning balance, Outstanding, Vested	151,784
Grants, Vested
Vested, Vested	1,400
Cancellations/forfeitures, Vested	(838)
Ending balance, Outstanding, Vested	152,346
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Beginning balance	245,202
Number of Shares, Granted	1,000	3,500
Number of Shares, Vested
Number of Shares, Cancellations/ forfeitures	(2,095)
Number of Shares, Outstanding, Ending balance	244,107
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Beginning balance	$ 9.12
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Granted	$ 5.40
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Vested	$ 8.40
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Cancellations/ forfeitures	$ 11.51
Weighted Average Exercise Price, Outstanding, Ending balance	$ 9.09
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding, Beginning balance	6 years 11 months 27 days
Weighted Average Contractual Life, Outstanding, Ending balance	6 years 9 months

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates - Additional Information (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011	Sep. 29, 2012
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Allowance for accounts receivable	$ 25,000		$ 25,000
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets	1,100,000
Number of Shares, Granted	1,000	3,500
Weighted average fair value, Granted	$ 3.29	$ 3.43
Unrecognized compensation cost related to options granted	409,665	625,373
Weighted average period of compensation cost	2 years 9 months 18 days
Shares authorized for issuance	750,000
Shares outstanding	244,107		245,202
Fair market value term period	10 years
Intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable options	$ 38,154	$ 229,987
Minimum [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting periods	0 years
Maximum [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Vesting periods	5 years
2001 Stock Option Plan [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share available for grants	0
2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share available for grants	47,028
2010 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Share available for grants	54,481

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Inventories (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Schedule of Inventories

Inventories consisted of the following:

	December 29, 2012		September 29, 2012
	(unaudited)
Finished goods	$	8,015	$	38,406
Work in process		631,482		642,159
Raw materials		1,802,020		1,952,843
	$	2,441,517	$	2,633,408

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.

On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including but not limited to those related to revenue recognition, inventory reserves, receivable reserves, income taxes, fair value of financial instruments and share-based compensation. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Product revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the fee is fixed or determinable, delivery of the product to the customer has occurred and we have determined that collection of the fee is probable. Title to the product generally passes upon shipment of the product, as the products are shipped FOB shipping point, except for certain foreign shipments for which title passes upon entry of the product into the first port in the buyer’s country. If the product requires installation to be performed by TCC, all revenue related to the product is deferred and recognized upon completion of the installation. We provide for a warranty reserve at the time the product revenue is recognized.

We perform funded research and development and technology development for commercial companies and government agencies under both cost reimbursement and fixed-price contracts. Cost reimbursement contracts provide for the reimbursement of allowable costs and, in some situations, the payment of a fee. These contracts may contain incentive clauses providing for increases or decreases in the fee depending on how actual costs compare with a budget. Revenue from reimbursement contracts is recognized as services are performed. On fixed-price contracts that are expected to exceed one year in duration, revenue is recognized pursuant to the proportional performance method based upon the proportion of actual costs incurred to the total estimated costs for the contract. In each type of contract, we receive periodic progress payments or payments upon reaching interim milestones, and we retain the rights to the intellectual property developed in government contracts. All payments to TCC for work performed on contracts with agencies of the U.S. government are subject to audit and adjustment by the Defense Contract Audit Agency. Adjustments are recognized in the period made. When current estimates of total contract revenue and contract costs for a product development contract indicate a loss, a provision for the entire loss on the contract is recorded. Any losses incurred in performing funded research and development projects are recognized as funded research and development expenses.

Cost of product revenue includes material, labor and overhead. Costs incurred in connection with funded research and development are included in cost of sales. Product development costs are charged to billable engineering services, bid and proposal efforts or support of business development activities as appropriate. Product development costs charged to billable projects are recorded as cost of sales, engineering costs charged to bid and proposal efforts are recorded as selling expenses, and product development costs charged to business development activities are recorded as marketing expenses. Product development costs consist primarily of personnel costs, outside contractor and engineering services, supplies and materials.

Inventory

Inventory

We value our inventory at the lower of actual cost (based on first-in, first-out (FIFO)) to purchase and/or manufacture or the current estimated market value (based on the estimated selling prices, less the cost to sell) of the inventory. We periodically review inventory quantities on hand and record a provision for excess and/or obsolete inventory based primarily on our estimated forecast of product demand, as well as historical usage. Due to the custom and specific nature of certain of our products, demand and usage for products and materials can fluctuate significantly. A significant decrease in demand for our products could result in a short-term increase in the cost of inventory purchases and an increase in excess inventory quantities on hand. In addition, our industry is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product development and rapid product obsolescence, any of which could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. Therefore, although we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our forecasts of future product demand, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant negative impact on the value of our inventory and would reduce our reported operating results.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are reduced by an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future. The estimated allowance for uncollectible amounts is based primarily on a specific analysis of accounts in the receivable portfolio and historical write-off experience. While management believes the allowance to be adequate, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required, which would reduce net income. The allowance recorded for accounts receivable at December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012 was $25,000.

Investment Securities

Investment Securities

The Company accounts for investment securities in accordance with FASB ASC 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities. All investment securities must be classified as one of the following: held-to-maturity, available-for-sale, or trading. The Company holds certain marketable securities classified as available-for-sale and, as such, carries the investments at fair value, with unrealized holding gains and losses reported in stockholders’ equity as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cost of securities sold is determined based on the specific identification method. Realized gains and losses, and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, are included in investment income. The purchase discount or premium is amortized to income or expense, respectively, over the life of the securities.

Accounting for Income Taxes

Accounting for Income Taxes

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate, including those outside the United States, which may subject the Company to certain risks that ordinarily would not be expected in the United States. The income tax accounting process involves estimating our actual current exposure together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items, such as deferred revenue, for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets. We have recorded a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets of $1.1 million as of December 29, 2012 due to uncertainties related to our ability to utilize these assets. The valuation allowance is based on our estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction and the period over which our deferred tax assets will be recoverable. In the event that actual results differ from these estimates or we adjust these estimates in future periods, we may need to adjust our valuation allowance. Any such adjustment could materially impact our financial position and results of operation.

Due to the nature of our current operations in foreign countries (selling products into these countries with the assistance of local representatives), the Company has not been subject to any foreign taxes in recent years. Also, it is not anticipated that we will be subject to foreign taxes in the near future.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

In determining the fair value of financial instruments, the Company follows the provisions of FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. FASB ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. The topic provides a consistent definition of fair value which focuses on an exit price, which is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The topic also prioritizes, within the measurement of fair value, the use of market-based information over entity specific information and establishes a three-level hierarchy for fair value measurements based on the nature of inputs used in the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. The three level hierarchy is as follows:

Level 1 -	Pricing inputs are quoted prices available in active markets for identical investments as of the reporting date.
Level 2 -	Pricing inputs are quoted prices for similar investments, or inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term through corroboration with observable market data.
Level 3 -	Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment, that is, inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, an investment’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the investment.

The Company’s available-for-sale securities are comprised of investments in municipal bonds, brokered certificates of deposit and mutual funds. These securities represent ownership in individual bonds in municipalities within the United States, certificates of deposit in U.S. banks and money market funds held in a brokerage account. The fair value of these investments is based on quoted prices from recognized pricing services (e.g. Standard & Poors, Bloomberg, etc), or in the case of mutual funds at their closing net asset values.

The Company assesses the levels of the investments at each measurement date, and transfers between levels are recognized on the actual date of the event or change in circumstances that caused the transfer in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy regarding the recognition of transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy. During the three months ended December 29, 2012 there were no transfers between levels.

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the financial instruments carried at fair value as of December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy as defined above.

			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
December 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
Debt and certificates of deposits:
Municipal bonds	$	1,965,314	$	—	$	1,965,314
Certificates of deposit		2,739,790		—		2,739,790
Total debt instruments		4,705,104		—		4,705,104
Mutual funds:
Money market funds		907,871		907,871		—
Total mutual funds		907,871		907,871		—
Total investments	$	5,612,975	$	907,871	$	4,705,104
September 29, 2012
Debt and certificates of deposits:
Municipal bonds	$	1,925,371	$	—	$	1,925,371
Certificates of deposit		2,743,493		—		2,743,493
Total debt instruments		4,668,864		—		4,668,864
Mutual funds:
Money market funds		1,340,440		1,340,440		—
Total mutual funds		1,340,440		1,340,440		—
Total investments	$	6,009,304	$	1,340,440	$	4,668,864

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are recognized at fair value subsequent to initial recognition when they are deemed to be impaired. As of December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012, the Company’s assets and liabilities subject to measurement at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are equipment and leasehold improvements. Neither was deemed to be impaired or measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis.

Share-Based Compensation

Share-Based Compensation

Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the calculated fair value of the award. The expense is recognized over the employee’s requisite service period, generally the vesting period of the award. The related excess tax benefit received upon the exercise of stock options, if any, is reflected in the Company’s statement of cash flows as a financing activity rather than an operating activity. There were no excess tax benefits for the three month periods ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011.

The Company selected the Black-Scholes option pricing model as the method for determining the estimated fair value of its stock awards. The Black-Scholes method of valuation requires several assumptions: (1) the expected term of the stock award, (2) the expected future stock price volatility over the expected term, (3) a risk-free interest rate and (4) the expected dividend rate. The expected term represents the expected period of time the Company believes the options will be outstanding based on historical information. Estimates of expected future stock price volatility are based on the historic volatility of the Company’s common stock and the risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury Note rate. The Company utilizes a forfeiture rate based on an analysis of its actual experience. The forfeiture rate is not material to the calculation of share-based compensation.

The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated with the following assumptions (unaudited):

	Three Months Ended
	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Option term		6.5 years			6.5 years
Risk-free interest rate		0.71	%		0.94	%
Stock price volatility		66	%		68	%
Dividend yield		—			4	%

There were 1,000 options granted during the three months ended December 29, 2012, and 3,500 options granted during the three months ended December 24, 2011. The weighted average grant date fair value for the options granted during such three month periods was $3.29 and $3.43, respectively.

The following table summarizes share-based compensation costs included in the Company’s condensed consolidated income statements for the three month periods ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011 (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012		December 24, 2011
Cost of sales	$	4,074	$	4,063
Selling, general and administrative expenses		11,967		13,927
Product development expenses		28,874		30,078
Total share-based compensation expense before taxes	$	44,915	$	48,068

As of December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011, there was $409,665 and $625,373, respectively, of unrecognized compensation cost related to options granted. The unrecognized compensation cost will be recognized as the options vest. The weighted average period over which the compensation cost is expected to be recognized is 2.8 years.

The Company had the following stock option plans outstanding as of December 29, 2012: the Technical Communications Corporation 2001 Stock Option Plan, the 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan and the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan. There were an aggregate of 750,000 shares authorized for issuance under these plans, of which options to purchase 244,107 shares were outstanding at December 29, 2012. Vesting periods are at the discretion of the Board of Directors and typically range between zero and five years. Options under these plans are granted with an exercise price equal to fair market value at time of grant and have a term of ten years from the date of grant.

As of December 29, 2012, there were no shares available for new option grants under the 2001 Stock Option Plan; there were 47,028 shares available for grant under the 2005 Non-Statutory Stock Option Plan; and there were 54,481 shares available for grant under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the first three months of fiscal 2013 (unaudited):

	Options Outstanding
	Number of Shares									Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Life
	Unvested			Vested			Total
Outstanding, September 29, 2012		93,418			151,784			245,202		$	9.12		6.99 years
Grants		1,000			—			1,000			5.40
Vested		(1,400	)		1,400			—			8.40
Cancellations/forfeitures		(1,257	)		(838	)		(2,095	)		11.51
Outstanding, December 29, 2012		91,761			152,346			244,107		$	9.09		6.75 years

Information related to the stock options vested and expected to vest as of December 29, 2012 is as follows (unaudited):

Range of Exercise Prices	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Exercisable Number of Shares		Exercisable Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$  0.01 - $  1.00		600		0.37	$	0.99		600	$	0.99
$  2.01 - $  3.00		15,288		2.69	$	3.00		15,288	$	3.00
$  3.01 - $  4.00		16,600		3.57	$	3.66		16,600	$	3.67
$  4.01 - $  5.00		13,400		5.95	$	4.90		11,900	$	4.90
$  5.01 - $10.00		54,400		6.49	$	7.43		44,740	$	7.47
$10.01 - $15.00		143,819		7.74	$	11.41		63,218	$	11.30
		244,107		6.75	$	9.09		152,346	$	7.97

The aggregate intrinsic value of the Company’s “in-the-money” outstanding and exercisable options as of December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011 was $38,154 and $229,987, respectively. Unvested common stock options are subject to the risk of forfeiture until the fulfillment of specified conditions.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Financial Instruments Fair Value

The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the financial instruments carried at fair value as of December 29, 2012 and September 29, 2012, in accordance with the fair value hierarchy as defined above.

			Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs
	Total		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
December 29, 2012 (Unaudited)
Debt and certificates of deposits:
Municipal bonds	$	1,965,314	$	—	$	1,965,314
Certificates of deposit		2,739,790		—		2,739,790
Total debt instruments		4,705,104		—		4,705,104
Mutual funds:
Money market funds		907,871		907,871		—
Total mutual funds		907,871		907,871		—
Total investments	$	5,612,975	$	907,871	$	4,705,104
September 29, 2012
Debt and certificates of deposits:
Municipal bonds	$	1,925,371	$	—	$	1,925,371
Certificates of deposit		2,743,493		—		2,743,493
Total debt instruments		4,668,864		—		4,668,864
Mutual funds:
Money market funds		1,340,440		1,340,440		—
Total mutual funds		1,340,440		1,340,440		—
Total investments	$	6,009,304	$	1,340,440	$	4,668,864

Assumptions for Estimated Fair Value of Options at Date of Grant

The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated with the following assumptions (unaudited):

	Three Months Ended
	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Option term		6.5 years			6.5 years
Risk-free interest rate		0.71	%		0.94	%
Stock price volatility		66	%		68	%
Dividend yield		—			4	%

Share-Based Compensation Costs

The following table summarizes share-based compensation costs included in the Company’s condensed consolidated income statements for the three month periods ended December 29, 2012 and December 24, 2011 (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012		December 24, 2011
Cost of sales	$	4,074	$	4,063
Selling, general and administrative expenses		11,967		13,927
Product development expenses		28,874		30,078
Total share-based compensation expense before taxes	$	44,915	$	48,068

Stock Option Activity

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the first three months of fiscal 2013 (unaudited):

	Options Outstanding
	Number of Shares									Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Contractual Life
	Unvested			Vested			Total
Outstanding, September 29, 2012		93,418			151,784			245,202		$	9.12		6.99 years
Grants		1,000			—			1,000			5.40
Vested		(1,400	)		1,400			—			8.40
Cancellations/forfeitures		(1,257	)		(838	)		(2,095	)		11.51
Outstanding, December 29, 2012		91,761			152,346			244,107		$	9.09		6.75 years

Stock Options Vested and Expected to Vest

Information related to the stock options vested and expected to vest as of December 29, 2012 is as follows (unaudited):

Range of Exercise Prices	Number of Shares		Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (years)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Exercisable Number of Shares		Exercisable Weighted- Average Exercise Price
$  0.01 - $  1.00		600		0.37	$	0.99		600	$	0.99
$  2.01 - $  3.00		15,288		2.69	$	3.00		15,288	$	3.00
$  3.01 - $  4.00		16,600		3.57	$	3.66		16,600	$	3.67
$  4.01 - $  5.00		13,400		5.95	$	4.90		11,900	$	4.90
$  5.01 - $10.00		54,400		6.49	$	7.43		44,740	$	7.47
$10.01 - $15.00		143,819		7.74	$	11.41		63,218	$	11.30
		244,107		6.75	$	9.09		152,346	$	7.97

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Earnings Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Summary of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Net (loss) income	$	(310.190	)	$	929,230
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		1,838,716			1,827,131
Dilutive effect of stock options		—			30,472
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		1,838,716			1,857,603
Basic net (loss) income per share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.51
Diluted net (loss) income per share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.50

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Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities - Contractual Maturities of Investments (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 29, 2012
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Total, Cost	$ 4,992,709
Total, Fair Value	5,034,102
Fair Value [Member] | Marketable Securities Current [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Contractual maturities, With in 1 year, Fair Value	3,275,313
Fair Value [Member] | Marketable Securities Noncurrent [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Contractual maturities, After 1 year through 5 years, Fair Value	1,758,789
Cost of sales [Member]
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items]
Contractual maturities, With in 1 year, Cost	3,274,235
Contractual maturities, After 1 year through 5 years, Cost	$ 1,718,474

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates - Assumptions for Estimated Fair Value of Options at Date of Grant (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Share Based Payment Award Stock Options Valuation Assumptions [Line Items]
Option term	6 years 6 months	6 years 6 months
Risk-free interest rate	0.71%	0.94%
Stock price volatility	66.00%	68.00%
Dividend yield		4.00%

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Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Income Tax [Line Items]
Effective tax rate	40.80%	25.40%

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Net (loss) income	$ (310,190)	$ 929,230
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	(1,002)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$ (311,192)	$ 929,230

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Earnings Per Share

3 Months Ended

Dec. 29, 2012

Earnings Per Share

NOTE 4. Earnings Per Share

Basic and diluted earnings per share were calculated as follows (unaudited):

	December 29, 2012			December 24, 2011
Net (loss) income	$	(310.190	)	$	929,230
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic		1,838,716			1,827,131
Dilutive effect of stock options		—			30,472
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted		1,838,716			1,857,603
Basic net (loss) income per share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.51
Diluted net (loss) income per share	$	(0.17	)	$	0.50

Outstanding potentially dilutive stock options, which were not included in the earnings per share calculations because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive, were 201,019 at December 29, 2012. There were 180,264 options that had a dilutive effect at December 24, 2011.

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Earnings Per Share - Summary of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2012	Dec. 24, 2011
Schedule Of Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted [Line Items]
Net (loss) income	$ (310,190)	$ 929,230
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic	1,838,716	1,827,131
Dilutive effect of stock options		30,472
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted	1,838,716	1,857,603
Basic net (loss) income per share	$ (0.17)	$ 0.51
Diluted net (loss) income per share	$ (0.17)	$ 0.50

XML

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Significant Judgments and Estimates - Financial Instruments Fair Value (Detail) (USD $)	Dec. 29, 2012	Sep. 29, 2012
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	$ 5,034,102	$ 6,009,304
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	5,034,102	6,009,304
Debt and certificates of deposits [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	4,705,104	4,668,864
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	4,705,104	4,668,864
Debt and certificates of deposits [Member] | Municipal bonds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	1,965,314
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	1,965,314
Debt and certificates of deposits [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	2,739,790	2,743,493
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	2,739,790	2,743,493
Mutual funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	5,612,975
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	5,612,975
Mutual funds [Member] | Municipal bonds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,925,371
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,925,371
Mutual funds [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	907,871
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	907,871
Mutual funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Mutual funds [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt and certificates of deposits [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt and certificates of deposits [Member] | Municipal bonds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Debt and certificates of deposits [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	907,871
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	907,871
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Municipal bonds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	907,871
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	907,871
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,340,440
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		4,668,864
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		4,668,864
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt and certificates of deposits [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	4,705,104	4,668,864
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	4,705,104	4,668,864
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt and certificates of deposits [Member] | Municipal bonds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	1,965,314
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	1,965,314
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Debt and certificates of deposits [Member] | Certificates of deposit [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	2,739,790	2,743,493
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	2,739,790	2,743,493
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	4,705,104
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value	4,705,104
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Municipal bonds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,925,371
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value		1,925,371
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) [Member] | Mutual funds [Member] | Money market funds [Member]
Fair Value Inputs Liabilities Quantitative Information Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value
Available-for-sale securities, Estimated Fair Value