Apparatus having at least one LED string controlled by a current controller biased by voltage-tap nodes in the LED string

An apparatus, comprising:

• a first light-emitting diode (LED) string that includes a first plurality of LED packages connected in electrical series with one another;
• a second LED string powered by the first LED string, the second LED string being electrically connected to baising nodes within the first LED string;
• current-control circuitry operatively connected to the first LED string configured to control an electrical current in the first LED string;
• and
• a current controller operatively connected to the current-control circuitry and using a bias voltage for operation;
• wherein the current controller is operatively configured to cause the current-control circuitry to control the electrical current, the current controller is electrically connected to bias-voltage tap nodes in the first LED string so as to provide the bias voltage, the bias-voltage tap nodes having one or more of the first plurality of LED packages located therebetween so that the bias voltage is provided by a voltage drop across the one or more of the LEDs located between the bias-voltage tap nodes, and
• wherein during operation, the LED string has a higher-voltage end and a lower-voltage end, the first plurality of LED packages includes at least a first LED package located at the higher- voltage end and at least one second LED package electrically located downstream of the first LED package, the bias-voltage tap nodes tap into the LED string are located on opposite side of the second LED package, and the current-control circuitry controls the electrical current in the LED string at a location in the LED string closer to the lower-voltage end than the bias- voltage tap nodes.