Patent attributes
An A/D converter includes an A/D conversion circuit, a multiplying D/A converter, a switch circuit, and a control circuit. The control circuit prevents an A/D output of the A/D conversion circuit from being input to the D/A converter and controls the switch circuit so that an input voltage to be A/D-converted is recycled through the switch circuit and the multiplying D/A converter. As a result, the input voltage is amplified to a suitable level for A/D conversion. Then, the control circuit allows the A/D output to be inputted to the D/A converter and controls the switch circuit so that the amplified voltage is recycled through the switch circuit, the multiplying D/A converter, and the A/D conversion circuit. As a result, the amplified voltage is A/D-converted.