An LED-based lighting apparatus includes a plurality of LED-based lighting segments connected in series with a current control device. Each lighting segment has at least one LED-based lighting unit connected in series. A plurality of switch controllers controlled by a switching voltage comparator unit is connected with the plurality of LED-based lighting segments to provide multiple operation modes for turning on different number of LED-based lighting segments. In one embodiment, each switch controller is connected in parallel with a corresponding segment. The switching voltage comparator unit generates a propagation signal that propagates through and controls the plurality of switch controllers. In the other embodiment, each switch controller is connected between a positive end of the corresponding segment and a current control device. The switching voltage comparator unit generates two propagation signals that propagate through and control the plurality of switch controllers.