Method and apparatus for controlling a lighting module having a plurality of LED groups

A lighting apparatus comprising:

• a lighting module coupled between first and second nodes;
• a DC power source operable to generate a DC voltage across the first and second nodes to maintain a particular current level flowing through the lighting module, the particular current level being determined by an indication of a dimming level;
• and
• a control apparatus powered by the DC voltage generated by the DC power source across the first and second nodes and adapted to generate the indication of the dimming level;
• whereby the control apparatus at least in part controls the particular current level set by the DC power source flowing through the lighting module.

A control apparatus adapted to be coupled to a DC power source operable to generate a DC voltage across first and second nodes to maintain a particular current level flowing through a lighting module coupled between the first and second nodes, the particular current level being determined based upon an indication of a dimming level;

• the lighting module comprising a plurality of groups of LEDs, each group of LEDs comprising one or more LEDs coupled in series;
• the control apparatus comprising:
• a voltage control module adapted to be coupled to the first and second nodes and operable to generate a controlled voltage independent of the DC voltage generated by the DC power source across the first and second nodes;
• and
• a control module powered by the controlled voltage and operable to selectively couple one of the plurality of groups of LEDs to the DC power source.