Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] Balance Sheet Details Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures [Text Block] Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract] Intangible Assets Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Accounting Policies [Abstract] Basis of Presentation Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Business Combinations [Abstract] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustments [Table] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustments [Table] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition [Axis] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items] Net revenues Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Net loss Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information. Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Trading Symbol Trading Symbol Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Area (square feet) Area of Real Estate Property Lease term Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract Monthly rent expense Operating Expense, Rent Expense, Monthly Operating Expense, Rent Expense, Monthly Net loss attributable to Novatel Wireless, Inc. Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Number of reportable segments Number of Reportable Segments Debt Disclosure [Abstract] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Convertible Debt Convertible Debt [Member] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Contractual interest expense Interest Expense, Debt, Excluding Amortization Amortization of debt discount Amortization of Debt Discount (Premium) Amortization of debt issuance costs Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs Total interest expense Interest Expense, Debt Convertible Debt Convertible Debt [Table Text Block] Interest Expense Summary Interest Income and Interest Expense Disclosure [Table Text Block] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets [Axis] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] In-process research and development Other Intangible Assets [Member] DigiCore DigiCore [Member] DigiCore [Member] Feeney Wireless Feeney Wireless [Member] Feeney Wireless [Member] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Developed technologies Developed Technology Rights [Member] Trademarks and Trade names Trademarks and Trade Names [Member] Customer relationships Customer Relationships [Member] Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Acquired Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items] Amount Assigned Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired Amortization Period (in years) Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life In-process research and development Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs [Table] Restructuring Plan [Axis] Restructuring Plan [Axis] Restructuring Plan [Domain] Restructuring Plan [Domain] 2013 Initiatives Two Thousand Thirteen Restructuring [Member] Two thousand thirteen restructuring. 2015 Initiatives Two Thousand Fifteen Restructuring [Member] Two Thousand Fifteen Restructuring [Member] 2016 Initiatives 2016 Restructuring [Member] 2016 Restructuring [Member] Restructuring Type [Axis] Restructuring Type [Axis] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Type of Restructuring [Domain] Employee Severance Costs Employee Severance [Member] Facility Exit Related Costs Facility Closing [Member] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward] Balance at December 31, 2015 Restructuring Reserve Costs Incurred Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost Payments Payments for Restructuring Non-cash Restructuring Reserve, Settled without Cash Translation Adjustment Restructuring Reserve, Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss) Balance at June 30, 2016 Cumulative Costs Incurred to Date Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Business Acquisition [Line Items] Cash Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Cash and Equivalents Accounts receivable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Assets, Receivables Inventory Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Inventory Property, plant and equipment Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment Rental assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Rental Assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Rental Assets Intangible assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Finite-Lived Intangibles Goodwill Goodwill Other assets Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets Bank facilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Long-term Debt Accounts payable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable Accrued and other liabilities Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Other Deferred revenues Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue Note payable Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncurrent Liabilities, Long-term Debt Capital lease obligations Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Capital Lease Obligation Noncontrolling interests Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Noncontrolling Interest Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Non-controlling Interest Net assets acquired Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired, Goodwill, and Liabilities Assumed, Net Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] ASSETS Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $724 at June 30, 2016 and $601 at December 31, 2015 Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Short-term investments Short-term Investments Inventories Inventory, Net Prepaid expenses and other Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $64,579 at June 30, 2016 and $62,832 at December 31, 2015 Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Rental assets, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,783 at June 30, 2016 and $1,034 at December 31, 2015 Rental Assets, Net Rental Assets, Net Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $20,655 at June 30, 2016 and $17,380 at December 31, 2015 Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Other assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accrued Liabilities, Current DigiCore bank facilities Line of Credit, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Long-term liabilities: Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract] Convertible senior notes, net Convertible Debt, Noncurrent Revolving credit facility Long-term Line of Credit, Noncurrent Deferred tax liabilities, net Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net Other long-term liabilities Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Stockholders’ equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Preferred stock, par value $0.001; 2,000,000 shares authorized and none outstanding Preferred Stock, Value, Issued Common stock, par value $0.001; 150,000,000 shares authorized at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, 53,853,148 and 53,165,024 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively Common Stock, Value, Issued Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total stockholders’ equity attributable to Novatel Wireless, Inc. Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Noncontrolling interests Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total stockholders’ equity Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity Liabilities and Equity Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract] Effective tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract] Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table] Award Type [Axis] Award Type [Axis] Equity Award [Domain] Equity Award [Domain] Employee Stock Option Employee Stock Option [Member] Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Employee Stock Purchase Plans Employee Stock Purchase Plans [Member] Employee stock purchase plans. Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Axis] Income Statement Location [Domain] Income Statement Location [Domain] Cost of net revenues Cost of Sales [Member] Research and development Research and Development Expense [Member] Sales and marketing Selling and Marketing Expense [Member] General and administrative General and Administrative Expense [Member] Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Compensation Cost [Line Items] Unrecognized cost Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized Recognition period Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Unrecognized expense Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options Share-based compensation expense Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense 2013 Initiatives 2015 Initiatives 2016 Initiatives Total expected cost Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Restructuring reserve, current Restructuring Reserve, Current Restructuring reserve, noncurrent Restructuring Reserve, Noncurrent Share-based Compensation Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs [Table Text Block] Summary of Stock Option Activity Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] Summary of Restricted Stock Unit Activity Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block] Acquisitions and Divestitures Business Combination Disclosure [Text Block] Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Net loss Net Income (Loss), Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Nonproduction Amortization of acquisition-related inventory step-up Amortization Of Inventory Fair Value Adjustment Amortization Of Inventory Fair Value Adjustment Provision for bad debts, net of recoveries Provision for Doubtful Accounts Provision for excess and obsolete inventory Inventory Write-down Share-based compensation expense Share-based Compensation Amortization of debt discount and debt issuance costs Amortization of Debt Issuance Costs and Discounts Gain on divestiture and sale of other assets, net of loss on disposal of assets Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Assets Deferred income taxes Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Unrealized foreign currency transaction loss, net Foreign Currency Transaction Gain (Loss), before Tax Other Other Noncash Income (Expense) Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions and divestitures: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Inventories Increase (Decrease) in Inventories Prepaid expenses and other assets Increase (Decrease) in Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Accrued expenses, income taxes, and other Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities and Other Operating Liabilities Net cash used in operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from Investing Activities [Abstract] Acquisition-related escrow Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Purchases of property, plant and equipment Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from the sale of property, plant and equipment Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Proceeds from the sale of divested assets Proceeds from Divestiture of Businesses Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments Payments for (Proceeds from) Investments Purchases of intangible assets and additions to capitalized software costs Payments to Acquire Intangible Assets Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Gross proceeds from the issuance of convertible senior notes Proceeds from Convertible Debt Payment of issuance costs related to convertible senior notes Payments of Debt Issuance Costs Proceeds from the exercise of warrant to purchase common stock Proceeds from Warrant Exercises Net borrowings on DigiCore bank facilities Proceeds from (Repayments of) Bank Overdrafts Net repayments on revolving credit facility Proceeds from (Repayments of) Lines of Credit Payoff of acquisition-related assumed liabilities Repayments of Debt and Capital Lease Obligations Principal payments under capital lease obligations Repayments of Long-term Capital Lease Obligations Principal payments on mortgage bond Repayments of Secured Debt Proceeds from stock option exercises and employee stock purchase plan, net of taxes paid on vested restricted stock units Proceeds From Stock Option Exercises And Espp Net Of Taxes Paid On Vested Restricted Stock Units Proceeds From Stock Option Exercises And ESPP Net Of Taxes Paid On Vested Restricted Stock Units Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net increase in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Cash paid during the year for: Cash Paid During Year [Abstract] Cash paid during the year. Interest Interest Paid Income taxes Income Taxes Paid Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Accumulated depreciation, Property, plant and equipment Accumulated Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization, Property, Plant, and Equipment Accumulated depreciation, Rental assets Accumulated Depreciation, Rental Assets Amount of accumulated depreciation for rental assets used in the normal conduct of business. Accumulated amortization, Intangible assets Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization Preferred stock, par value Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Preferred stock, shares authorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Preferred stock, shares outstanding Preferred Stock, Shares Outstanding Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Schedule of Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award [Table] Restricted Stock Units Restricted Stock [Member] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward] Outstanding — beginning balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Granted Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross Exercised Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Canceled Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures and Expirations in Period Outstanding — ending balance Exercisable — June 30, 2016 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercisable, Number Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number of Shares [Roll Forward] Non-vested — beginning balance Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number Granted Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Vested Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Forfeited Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Forfeited in Period Non-vested — ending balance Income Statement [Abstract] Net revenues: Revenue, Net [Abstract] Hardware Sales Revenue, Goods, Net SaaS, software and services Sales Revenue, Services, Net Total net revenues Revenues Cost of net revenues: Cost of Revenue [Abstract] Hardware Cost of Goods Sold SaaS, software and services Cost of Services Total cost of net revenues Cost of Revenue Gross profit Gross Profit Operating costs and expenses: Operating Costs and Expenses [Abstract] Research and development Research and Development Expense Sales and marketing Selling and Marketing Expense General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Amortization of purchased intangible assets Amortization of Intangible Assets Restructuring charges, net of recoveries Restructuring Charges Total operating costs and expenses Operating Expenses Operating loss Operating Income (Loss) Other income (expense): Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Interest expense, net Interest Income (Expense), Nonoperating, Net Other income (expense), net Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest Income tax provision (benefit) Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net loss Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Net loss attributable to Novatel Wireless, Inc. Net loss per share: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Basic and diluted ($ per share) Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Weighted average shares used in computation of net loss per share: Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Diluted [Abstract] Basic and diluted (in shares) Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted General and Administrative Expense Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Axis] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Balance Sheet Location [Domain] Other Liabilities Other Liabilities [Member] Voting interests acquired Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired Acquisition share price (ZAR per share) Business Acquisition, Share Price Cash payments Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross Acquisition costs Business Combination, Acquisition Related Costs Total purchase price Business Combination, Consideration Transferred Escrow amount and certain other pre-closing adjustments Payments to Acquire Businesses, Escrow Amount and Other Pre-Closing Adjustments Paid Payments to Acquire Businesses, Escrow Amount and Other Pre-Closing Adjustments Paid Other assumed liabilities Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Liabilities Incurred Future issuance of common stock Business Combination, Consideration Transferred, Equity Interests Issued and Issuable Maximum contingent earn-out Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High Acquisition-related liabilities Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability Number of cash installment payments Business Combination, Number Of Installment Payments Business Combination, Number Of Installment Payments Period for cash installments Business Combination, Cash Payments, Period For Installments Business Combination, Cash Payments, Period For Installments Issued to former shareholders (shares) Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares Number of share installments Business Combination, Equity Interest Issued Or Issuable, Number Of Installments Business Combination, Equity Interest Issued Or Issuable, Number Of Installments Period for share installments Business Combination, Equity Interest Issued Or Issuable, Period For Installments Business Combination, Equity Interest Issued Or Issuable, Period For Installments Contingent consideration expense Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Change in Amount of Contingent Consideration, Liability Segment Reporting [Abstract] Schedule of Geographic Concentration of Net Revenues Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table] Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Table] Contingent Consideration by Type [Axis] Contingent Consideration by Type [Axis] Contingent Consideration Type [Domain] Contingent Consideration Type [Domain] Certain Transition Services Certain Transition Services [Member] Certain Transition Services [Member] Satisfaction Of Certain Conditions Satisfaction Of Certain Conditions [Member] Satisfaction Of Certain Conditions [Member] Purchase Of Module Product Inventory Purchase Of Module Product Inventory [Member] Purchase Of Module Product Inventory [Member] Purchase Of Module Product Inventory - Certain Transition Services Purchase Of Module Product Inventory - Certain Transition Services [Member] Purchase Of Module Product Inventory - Certain Transition Services [Member] Disposal Group Classification [Axis] Disposal Group Classification [Axis] Disposal Group Classification [Domain] Disposal Group Classification [Domain] Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not 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] Initial purchase price Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration Proceeds Receivables Other Receivables Payout period Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Payout Period Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Payout Period Gain Disposal Group, Not Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) on Disposal Fair value of obligations to be fulfilled by the Company Other Liabilities, Fair Value Disclosure Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Total purchase price Summary of Restructuring Liability Restructuring and Related Costs [Table Text Block] Summary of Inventories Schedule of Inventory, Current [Table Text Block] Summary of Accrued Expenses Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block] Summary of Accrued Warranty Obligations Schedule of Product Warranty Liability [Table Text Block] Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract] Fair Value Measurement of Assets and Liabilities Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block] Earnings Per Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Royalties Accrued Royalties, Current Payroll and related expenses Employee-related Liabilities, Current Warranty obligations Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual Market development funds and price protection Market Development Fund And Price Protection Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for market development funds and price protection. Professional fees Accrued Professional Fees, Current Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue Restructuring Divestiture-related liabilities Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Liabilities Other Other Accrued Liabilities, Current Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax Total comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Principles of Consolidation Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block] Segment Information Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Use of Estimates Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block] New Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Fair Value Measurement Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block] Anti-dilutive shares Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block] Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets Acquired as Part of Business Combination [Table Text Block] Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block] Restructuring Restructuring and Related Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Axis] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Concentration Risk Benchmark [Domain] Net Revenues Sales Revenue, Net [Member] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Axis] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Concentration Risk Type [Domain] Customer Concentration Customer Concentration Risk [Member] Customer [Axis] Customer [Axis] Customer [Domain] Customer [Domain] Customer One Customer One [Member] Customer one. Customer Two Customer Two [Member] Customer two. Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Segment Reporting Information [Line Items] Concentration percentage Concentration Risk, Percentage Numerator Denominator Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted, Other Disclosures [Abstract] Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares) Basic and diluted net loss per share (dollars per share) Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [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] Asset Class [Axis] Asset Class [Axis] Asset Class [Domain] Asset Class [Domain] Money market funds Money Market Funds [Member] Short-term investments Short-term Investments [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, at Carrying Value [Abstract] Cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Short-term investments Investments, Fair Value Disclosure Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Recurring Principal Debt Instrument, Face Amount Stated interest rate of debt issued Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage Fair value of debt Convertible Debt, Fair Value Disclosures Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Finished goods Inventory, Finished Goods, Gross Raw materials and components Inventory, Raw Materials, Gross Total inventories Share-based Compensation Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Geographic Information and Concentrations of Risk Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block] Summary of Company's Financial Instruments, Fair Value on a Recurring Basis Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table Text Block] Schedule of Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Table] Schedule of Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Table] Geographic Concentration Geographic Concentration Risk [Member] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Axis] Geographical [Domain] Geographical [Domain] United States and Canada United States And Canada [Member] United States and Canada. Latin America Latin America [Member] Europe, Middle East, Africa and other EMEA [Member] Asia and Australia Asia And Australia [Member] Asia And Australia [Member] Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items] Less: unamortized debt discount and debt issuance costs Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Net carrying amount Long-term Debt Equity component Debt Instrument, Convertible, Carrying Amount of Equity Component Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Axis] Variable Rate [Domain] Variable Rate [Domain] Lender Name [Axis] Lender Name [Axis] Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Line of Credit Facility, Lender [Domain] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Credit Facility [Domain] Revolving Credit Facility Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Letter of Credit Letter of Credit [Member] Range [Axis] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Range [Domain] Minimum Minimum [Member] Maximum Maximum [Member] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Axis] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period [Domain] Term of debt instrument Debt Instrument, Term Maximum amount of credit facility Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Margin on LIBOR rate Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Outstanding borrowings under the credit facility Long-term Line of Credit Available borrowings Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity Debt issuance costs Debt Issuance Costs, Gross Conversion price ($ per share) Debt Instrument, Convertible, Conversion Price Long-term debt Effective interest rate Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Movement in Standard Product Warranty Accrual [Roll Forward] Warranty liability at December 31, 2015 Additions charged to operations Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Increase for Warranties Issued Deductions from liability Standard and Extended Product Warranty Accrual, Decrease for Payments Warranty liability at June 30, 2016