MOTOR/CONTROLLER AUTHENTICATION SYSTEM

Described herein is an electric motor drive system, including at least one power phase line, an external controller configured to generate a drive signal and provide the drive signal to the at least one power phase line, and motor electronics. The motor electronics include at least one switch coupled between the at least one power phase line and at least one electric motor terminal, and an internal controller configured to cooperate with the external controller to perform an authentication process therebetween. The external controller is further configured to cause the at least one switch to electrically couple the at least one power phase line to the at least one electric motor terminal in response to success of the authentication process.