Segment data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2012
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	$ 3,244	$ 3,390	$ 9,177	$ 9,846
Segment Operating Profit	844	840	2,145	1,834
Analog [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	1,931	1,843	5,325	5,329
Segment Operating Profit	583	460	1,298	1,231
Embedded Processing [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	668	591	1,846	1,711
Segment Operating Profit	83	60	144	147
Other [Member]
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	645	956	2,006	2,806
Segment Operating Profit	$ 178	$ 320	$ 703	$ 456