v2.3.0.15

Restructuring and Excess Facilities (Details) (Excess Facilities [Member], USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011
Excess Facilities [Member]
Activities in the restructuring accrual
Balance at December 31, 2010	$ 2,920
Provisions	517
Sublease income	1,050
Cash payments	(1,447)
Balance at September 30, 2011	$ 3,040

X

- Definition

Restructuring and excess facilities cash payments net of sublease income.

+ Details

Name:	hlit_RestructuringAndExcessFacilitiesCashPaymentsNetOfSubleaseIncome
Namespace Prefix:	hlit
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Restructuring and excess facilities provisions and recoveries.

+ Details

Name:	hlit_RestructuringAndExcessFacilitiesProvisionsAndRecoveries
Namespace Prefix:	hlit
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Sublease income.

+ Details

Name:	hlit_SubleaseIncome
Namespace Prefix:	hlit
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

X

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 95-3

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.



Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4



Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 420

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b))

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394695&loc=d3e140904-122747

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

X

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration