v3.4.0.3
INCOME TAXES (Narrative) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2010
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Valuation allowance $ 15,807 $ 9,516 $ 5,217      
Enterprise income tax rate   25.00%        
Foreign enterprise income tax rate   25.00%        
Dividend withholding tax rate 10.00% 5.00% 5.00%      
Dividend withholding tax expense $ 715 $ 919 $ 3,589      
Tax savings from exemption and preferential tax status $ 1,508 $ 930      
Effect of tax savings on earnings per share $ 0.005   $ (.002)      
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2016 [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Tax loss carryforwards $ 3,665          
Tax loss carryforward expiration year Jan. 01, 2016          
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2017 [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Tax loss carryforwards $ 6,528          
Tax loss carryforward expiration year Jan. 01, 2017          
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2018 [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Tax loss carryforwards $ 7,612          
Tax loss carryforward expiration year Jan. 01, 2018          
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2019 [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Tax loss carryforwards $ 46,256          
Tax loss carryforward expiration year Jan. 01, 2019          
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2020 [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Tax loss carryforwards $ 22,961          
Tax loss carryforward expiration year Jan. 01, 2020          
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2023 [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Tax loss carryforwards $ 37          
Tax loss carryforward expiration year Jan. 01, 2023          
Tax loss carryforward expiring 2025 [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Tax loss carryforwards $ 1,099          
Tax loss carryforward expiration year Jan. 01, 2025          
Tax loss carryforward, indefinite life [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Tax loss carryforwards $ 10,663          
Current Preferential Tax Rate [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Enterprise income tax rate   15.00%        
High New Tech Enterprise [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Enterprise income tax rate   15.00%        
Artek Microelectronics Co., Ltd. ("Artek Microelectronics Shenzhen") [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Valuation allowance 1,956          
Artek Microelectronics Co., Ltd. ("Artek Microelectronics Shenzhen") [Member] | Current Preferential Tax Rate [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Income tax rate reduction, percentage         50.00% 50.00%
Artek Microelectronics Co., Ltd. ("Artek Microelectronics Shenzhen") [Member] | High New Tech Enterprise [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Foreign enterprise income tax rate   25.00%        
Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. ("Actions Semiconductor Zhuhai") [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Valuation allowance $ 8,285          
Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. ("Actions Semiconductor Zhuhai") [Member] | High New Tech Enterprise [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Enterprise income tax rate 25.00% 10.00% 10.00% 15.00% 15.00%  
Shanghai Actions Semiconductor Co., Ltd. ("Actions Semiconductor Shanghai") [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Valuation allowance $ 24,530          
Actions (Zhuhai) Technology Co., Ltd. ("Actions Technology Zhuhai") [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Valuation allowance 24,414          
Actions Technology (HK) Company Limited ("Actions Hong Kong") [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Valuation allowance 10,663          
Actions (Zhuhai) Microelectronics Co., Ltd. ("Actions Microelectronics Zhuhai") [Member]            
Income Tax [Line Items]            
Valuation allowance $ 322