Segment data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2011
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	$ 3,121	$ 3,392
Segment Operating Profit	397	908
Analog [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	1,686	1,536
Segment Operating Profit	335	418
Embedded Processing [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	473	533
Segment Operating Profit	36	102
Wireless [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	373	658
Segment Operating Profit	(25)	141
Other [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	589	665
Segment Operating Profit	$ 51	$ 247