This chapter begins with a discussion of synchronous motor drive features and the principal classification of the drives. Then, scalar and vector control techniques are discussed very comprehensively with examples of industrial applications. Principles of absolute position estimation by slotted disk and RDC methods are reviewed. Then, vector control of SPM and SyRM motors is reviewed with waveforms, equations, and phasor diagrams. Vector and scalar control principles of IPM machines are reviewed. The industrial EV vector drive of IPM machines is described in detail. Self-control techniques are covered comprehensively. The brushless DC drive is explained with a self-controlled trapezoidal SPM machine. Load-commutated synchronous motor drive along with motor starting principle is discussed with the example application of a ship propulsion system. Several example applications of high-power synchronous motor drives are discussed. Principles of superconducting magnet ship propulsion systems, SRM drives, and trapezoidal SPM machine drives are included, Finally, advances and trends in synchronous motor drives are summarized.

This chapter includes a discussion of principles and characteristics of diode and thyristor converters and cycloconverters. This class of converter has been extremely important in the first generation of power electronics, and is usually known as classical power electronics. At the beginning of the chapter, general converter characteristics and classification are outlined. The diode rectifier topologies and their characteristics are discussed. The different types of phase-controlled thyristor converters are summarized and their characteristics are explained with waveforms for continuous and discontinuous conduction. Thyristor converter-based speed control of DC motors is discussed for motoring and regeneration. AC power control with single-phase and three-phase converters is included. Phase-controlled cycloconverter principles and characteristics with three-phase half-wave and bridge configuration are discussed with waveforms. Cycloconverter voltage and current waves with load and source harmonics are discussed. Cycloconverter control of AC drives is discussed in both circulating and blocking modes of operation. Thyristor-based high-frequency resonant link cycloconversion is introduced. Finally, different types of harmonic standards line current distortion are summarized.