Segment data (Details) (USD $) In Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	$ 3,466	$ 3,740	$ 10,315	$ 10,441
Total operating profit	814	1,227	2,627	3,284
Reporting Segment Analog [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	1,557	1,581	4,680	4,461
Total operating profit	414	520	1,278	1,391
Reporting Segment Embedded Processing [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	539	579	1,668	1,535
Total operating profit	113	160	356	348
Reporting Segment Wireless [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	580	767	1,797	2,211
Total operating profit	78	180	301	502
Reporting Segment Other [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Total revenue	790	813	2,170	2,234
Total operating profit	$ 209	$ 367	$ 692	$ 1,043