A compact and highly accurate A/D converter includes series-connected
computation cells, the number of which is equal to the number for bits in
an output signal. The first computation cell includes a first comparison
unit for subtracting a reference current from a first input current to
generate a first current, and a second comparison unit for subtracting a
second input current from the reference current to generate a second
current. The second computation cell includes first and second comparison
units having the same configurations as those in the first computation
cell. The computation cells of latter stages have the same configurations
as the second computation cell. Current mirror circuits included in the
first and second comparison units of each computation cell generate the
first and second currents. Each computation cell outputs a current having
an absolute value in accordance with one of the first and second
currents.