Equity [Abstract] Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, par value (in usd per share) Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, par value (in usd per share) Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block] Shareholders' Equity Shareholders' Equity and Share-based Payments [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Inventory, Current [Table] Inventory, Current [Table] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Inventory [Line Items] Inventory [Line Items] Inventory turnover period (in days) Inventory Turnover Period Inventory Turnover Period Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Short-term investments Short-term Investments Accounts receivable, net of provision for sales returns and allowances of $2,500 and $1,384 in fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Inventories Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Assets held for sale Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Property and equipment, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Goodwill and acquired intangible assets, net Goodwill Other non-current assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current Accrued employee compensation Employee-related Liabilities, Current Deferred income Deferred Revenue, Current Current liabilities held for sale Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Non-current income taxes payable Accrued Income Taxes, Noncurrent Other non-current liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 10) Commitments and Contingencies Shareholders’ equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred stock, $0.002 par value; 8,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, $0.002 par value; 992,000 shares authorized; 495,913 and 506,095 shares issued and outstanding in fiscal 2018 and 2017, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Retained earnings Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total shareholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Cavium Cavium, Inc. [Member] Cavium, Inc. [Member] Scenario [Axis] Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] Scenario, Forecast Scenario, Forecast [Member] Lender Name [Axis] Lender Name [Axis] Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Goldman Sachs Bank USA Goldman Sachs Bank USA [Member] Goldman Sachs Bank USA [Member] Bank of America Merrill Lynch Bank Of America Merrill Lynch [Member] Bank Of America Merrill Lynch [Member] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Line of Credit Line of Credit [Member] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Number of common shares per Cavium share Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable, Entity Shares Issued Per Acquiree Share Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable, Entity Shares Issued Per Acquiree Share Cash consideration (in usd per share) Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable, Cash Paid Per Acquiree Share Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable, Cash Paid Per Acquiree Share Purchase price (in usd per share) Business Acquisition, Share Price Transaction value Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Amount of debt financing Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred Commitments of debt financing Debt Instrument, Face Amount Maximum borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Deferred debt and equity financing costs Debt Issuance Costs, Noncurrent, Net Termination fee Business Combination, Termination Fees Business Combination, Termination Fees Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Measurement Basis [Axis] Measurement Basis [Axis] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Fair Value Measurement [Domain] Portion at Fair Value Measurement Portion at Fair Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value Estimate of Fair Value Measurement [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Level 1 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Level 2 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Level 3 Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Investment Type [Axis] Investment Type [Axis] Investments [Domain] Investments [Domain] Money market funds Money Market Funds [Member] Time deposits Bank Time Deposits [Member] U.S. government and agency debt US Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Foreign government and agency debt Foreign Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Foreign Government Agencies Debt Securities [Member] Municipal debt securities Municipal Bonds [Member] Corporate debt securities Corporate Debt Securities [Member] Asset backed securities Asset-backed Securities [Member] Auction rate securities Auction Rate Securities [Member] Asset Class [Axis] Asset Class [Axis] Asset Class [Domain] Asset Class [Domain] Short-term investments Short-term Investments [Member] Long-term investments Long Term Investment [Member] Long Term Investment [Member] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets [Member] Other non-current assets Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Instrument [Axis] Derivative Contract [Domain] Derivative Contract [Domain] Foreign currency forward contracts Foreign Exchange Forward [Member] Restructuring Type [Axis] Restructuring Type [Axis] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Severance pay fund Employee Severance [Member] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Assets Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Investments Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Prepaid expenses and other current assets Derivative Asset Other non-current assets Other Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Total assets Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Liabilities Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Accrued liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Equity Award [Domain] Equity Award [Domain] Time-Based Options Time Based Option Award [Member] Time Based Option Award [Member] Market-Based Options Market Based Option Award [Member] Market Based Option Award [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Number of Shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Balance at beginning of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Granted (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Exercised (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Canceled/Forfeited (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period Balance at end of period (in shares) Vested or expected to vest at end of period (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Weighted Average Exercise Price Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price [Abstract] Balance at beginning of period (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Granted (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercised (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Canceled/Forfeited (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price Balance at end of period (in usd per share) Vested or expected to vest at end of period (in usd per share) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Weighted Average Exercise Price Supplemental cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash paid for interest Interest Paid Cash paid for income taxes, net Income Taxes Paid, Net Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Purchase of software and intellectual property under license obligations Non Cash Obligation For Technology License Non Cash Obligation For Technology License Unsettled trade receivable of available-for-sale securities Transfer from Investments Unsettled trade payable of available-for-sale securities Unsettled Trade Payable of Available-for-sale Securities Unsettled Trade Payable of Available-for-sale Securities Unpaid purchase of property and equipment at end of year Capital Expenditures Incurred but Not yet Paid Unpaid repurchases of our common shares Accrual of Repurchase of Common Shares Accrual of Repurchase of Common Shares Unpaid equity and debt financing costs Equity And Debt Issuance Costs Incurred During Noncash Or Partial Noncash Transaction Equity And Debt Issuance Costs Incurred During Noncash Or Partial Noncash Transaction Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Schedule of Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) Per Share Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Schedule of Anti-dilutive Potential Shares Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table] Disposal Group Classification [Axis] Disposal Group Classification [Axis] Disposal Group Classification [Domain] Disposal Group Classification [Domain] Discontinued operations Discontinued Operations [Member] Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items] Number of businesses to be disposed of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Number of Business to be Disposed of Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Number of Business to be Disposed of Standard warranty period Standard Product Warranty Time Period Standard Product Warranty Time Period Extended warranty period Extended Product Warranty Time Period Extended Product Warranty Time Period Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Current income tax provision (benefit): Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Federal Current Federal Tax Expense (Benefit) State Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) Foreign Current Foreign Tax Expense (Benefit) Total current income tax provision (benefit) Current Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred income tax provision (benefit): Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations [Abstract] Federal Deferred Federal Income Tax Expense (Benefit) State Deferred State and Local Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Foreign Deferred Foreign Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total deferred income tax provision (benefit) Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Total provision (benefit) for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Basis of Presentation Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block] Discontinued Operations Discontinued Operations, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] Principles of Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block] Investments Investment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Impairment of Investments Other-Than-Temporary Impairment [Policy Text Block] Other-Than-Temporary Impairment, Policy [Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Concentration of Credit Risk and Significant Customers Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block] Inventories Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block] Property and Equipment, Net Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block] Goodwill Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block] Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block] Foreign Currency Transactions Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block] Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block] Advertising Expense Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block] Share-Based Compensation Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Accounting for Income Taxes Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]