Segment data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	$ 3,390	$ 3,466	$ 9,846	$ 10,315
Segment Operating Profit (Loss)	840	814	1,834	2,627
Analog [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	1,843	1,557	5,329	4,680
Segment Operating Profit (Loss)	460	414	1,231	1,278
Embedded Processing [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	520	539	1,502	1,668
Segment Operating Profit (Loss)	63	113	151	356
Wireless [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	325	580	1,040	1,797
Segment Operating Profit (Loss)	(53)	78	(129)	301
Other [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	702	790	1,975	2,170
Segment Operating Profit (Loss)	$ 370	$ 209	$ 581	$ 692