National Semiconductor acquisition (Acquired finite-lived intangible assets) (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended			0 Months Ended		3 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011 Series of acquisitions prior to National acquisition [Member]	Sep. 30, 2010 Series of acquisitions prior to National acquisition [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 National [Member]	Sep. 23, 2011 National [Member]	Sep. 30, 2011 National [Member] Developed Technology [Member] years	Sep. 30, 2011 National [Member] Customer Relationships [Member] years	Sep. 30, 2011 National [Member] Other [Member] years	Sep. 30, 2011 National [Member] In-process Research and Development [Member]
Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Identified intangible assets subject to amortization, Asset Amount				$ 2,869		$ 2,025	$ 810	$ 34
Acquired intangible assets	2,974			2,974	2,974				105	[1]
Total identified intangible assets	2,974			2,974	2,974				105	[1]
Identified intangible assets subject to amortization, Weighted average useful life (in years)						10	8	5
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles	$ 25	$ 19	$ 38	$ 6

[1] In-process research and development is not amortized until the associated project has been completed. Alternatively, if the associated project is not viable, it will be expensed.