This paper describes current controlled PWM technique of PM synchronous motors for a wide variety of speed control applications. They are however limited in their ability to operate in the power limited regime where the available torque is reduced as the speed is increased above its base value. This paper reviews the operation of the PMSM drives when they are constrained to be within the permissible envelope of maximum inverter voltage and current to produce the rated power and to provide this with the highest attainable rotor speed. The optimal field-weakening control algorithm is the use of phase current and d-axis current feedback to reduce of error between the d-axis current command and real current and to improve the torque characteristics. The improved torque characteristics of speed control strategy with optimal field weakening control algorithm is analyzed and the performance is investigated by the computer simulation and experimental results. (author). refs., figs.