A system for providing power inductively to a portable device is disclosed. The system a primary coil, a drive circuit, a sense circuit, and a communication and control circuit. The communication and control circuit is configured to perform operations, including detection of communication and drive circuit operations. A portable device that includes a receiver unit coupled to a battery and configured to receive inductive power from an inductive charging system including a base unit with a primary coil and associated circuit is also disclosed. The receiver unit includes a receiver coil, a ferrite layer, and a receiver circuit. The receiver circuit includes a receiver communication and control circuit to modulate current in the receiver coil to communicate with a base unit while the receiver circuit is being powered by the inductive charging system.