Inductively coupled ballast circuit

A wireless power supply for wirelessly supplying energy to an electronic component separable from the wireless power supply, the electronic component being absent from physical interconnection with the wireless power supply and absent from electrical connection with the wireless power supply, the electronic component and the wireless power supply capable of inductively coupling when in sufficient proximity to each other, the wireless power supply comprising:

• a resonant tank circuit configured to generate a varying magnetic field in response to an AC current;
• an analog circuit that provides AC current to the resonant tank circuit;
• an analog control circuit with a digital an output in electrical communication with the analog circuit for controlling the analog circuit;
• a digital control unit having an output in electrical communication with the analog control circuit, the digital control unit monitors the resonant tank circuit and controls the analog control circuit;
• and
• a ballast feedback circuit that provides feedback to the digital control unit during operation for monitoring the energy being provided by the inductive coupler.

A method of manufacturing a wireless power supply for supplying wireless power to an electronic component, the electronic component being absent from physical interconnection with the wireless power supply and absent from electrical connection with the wireless power supply, the wireless power supply and the electronic component being separable and capable of inductively coupling when in sufficient proximity to each other, the method of manufacturing comprising:

• providing a resonant tank circuit configured to generate a varying magnetic field in response to an AC current;
• electrically connecting an analog control circuit to the resonant tank circuit, the analog control circuit configured to adjust the frequency of the AC current supplied to the resonant tank circuit;
• electrically connecting a digital control unit to the resonant tank circuit, the control unit having an output, wherein the control unit is configured to monitor and control the varying magnetic field generated by the resonant tank circuit;
• and
• electrically connecting a ballast feedback circuit to the resonant tank circuit and the digital control unit, the ballast feedback signal configured to provide feedback indicative of the energy provided by the resonant tank circuit to the electronic component to the digital control unit during operation for monitoring the varying magnetic field generated by the resonant tank circuit.