Segment data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	$ 2,885	$ 3,121
Segment Operating Profit	395	397
Analog [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	1,648	1,686
Segment Operating Profit	300	335
Embedded Processing [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	561	540
Segment Operating Profit	7	35
Other [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	676	895
Segment Operating Profit	$ 88	$ 27