Segment data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	$ 3,047	$ 3,335	$ 5,932	$ 6,456
Segment Operating Profit	906	598	1,301	995
Analog [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	1,745	1,800	3,393	3,486
Segment Operating Profit	416	437	716	771
Embedded Processing [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	618	580	1,178	1,120
Segment Operating Profit	54	52	61	88
Other [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	684	955	1,361	1,850
Segment Operating Profit	$ 436	$ 109	$ 524	$ 136