This book offers an essential compendium on theanalysis and design of synchronous motors for variable-speed applications.Focusing on synchronous reluctance and ferrite permanent-magnet (PM)synchronous reluctance machines, it provides a broad perspective on three-phasemachines for variable speed applications, a field currently dominated byasynchronous machines and rare-earth PM synchronous machines. It also describessynchronous reluctance machines and PM machines without rare-earth materials,comparing them to state-of-the-art solutions. The book provides readers withextensive information on and finite element models of PM synchronous machines,including all relevant equations and with an emphasis on synchronous-reluctanceand PM-assisted synchronous-reluctance machines. It covers ferrite-assistedmachines, modeled as a subcase of PM-assistance, fractional slot combinationssolutions, and a quantitative, normalized comparison of torque capability withbenchmark PM machines. The book discusses a wealth of techniques foridentifying machine parameters, with an emphasis on self-commissioningalgorithms, and presents methods for automated machine design and optimization,including a software tool developed for this purpose. Addressing an importantgap in the field of PM-less and less-PM electrical machines, it is intended asa self-contained reference guide for both graduate students and professionalmachine designers, and as a useful text for university courses on automatedand/or optimized design of electrical machines and drives.