Segment data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	$ 3,501	$ 3,244	$ 9,776	$ 9,177
Segment Operating Profit	1,175	844	2,847	2,145
Analog
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	2,149	1,931	5,981	5,325
Segment Operating Profit	802	583	1,964	1,298
Embedded Processing
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	711	668	2,070	1,846
Segment Operating Profit	114	83	270	144
Other
Segment Data Table [Line Items]
Segment Revenue	641	645	1,725	2,006
Segment Operating Profit	$ 259	$ 178	$ 613	$ 703