Segment data (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 3,458	$ 3,496	$ 6,849	$ 6,701
Total operating profit	905	1,107	1,813	2,057
Reporting Segment Analog [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	1,588	1,512	3,123	2,880
Total operating profit	446	472	864	871
Reporting Segment Embedded Processing [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	596	516	1,129	956
Total operating profit	141	115	243	188
Reporting Segment Wireless [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	558	727	1,216	1,444
Total operating profit	82	165	223	322
Reporting Segment Other [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	716	741	1,381	1,421
Total operating profit	$ 236	$ 355	$ 483	$ 676