LED lighting unit with color and dimming control

A LED lighting unit, comprising:

• an inverter circuit;
• a first LED string having a plurality of first LEDs connected in series;
• a second LED string having a plurality of second LEDs connected in series;
• wherein said first LED string and said second LED string are connected antiparallel to one another;
• a first electrical connection of only two LED electrical connections extending from said inverter circuit to downstream of a last of said second LEDs and upstream of a first of said first LEDs;
• and
• a second electrical connection of said only two LED electrical connections extending from said inverter circuit to upstream of a first of said second LEDs and downstream of a last of said first LEDs;
• wherein said inverter circuit cycles between a first state, a second state and a third state during each of a plurality of time periods;
• wherein in said first state said inverter circuit is configured to provide a first supply connection over said first electrical connection and a second supply connection over said second electrical connection;
• and
• wherein in said second state said inverter circuit is configured to provide said second supply connection over said first electrical connection and said first supply connection over said second electrical connection,
• wherein in said third state said inverter circuit is configured to provide said second supply connection over said first electrical connection and provide said second supply connection over said second electrical connection.

A method of adjusting color and dimming of a LED module, comprising:

• cycling between a first state, a second state, and a third state during each of a plurality of time periods;
• providing, in said first state, a first supply connection over a first LED connection of only two LED connections and a second supply connection over a second LED connection of said only two LED connections;
• providing, in said second state, said second supply connection over said first LED connection and said first supply connection over said second LED connection;
• providing, in said third state, said second supply connection over said first LED connection and said second supply connection over said second LED connection;
• selectively adjusting a ratio of the duration of said first state to said second state during said time periods;
• and
• selectively adjusting a ratio of the duration of said first state and said second state to said third state during said time periods.