Abstract: In an active magnetic bearing system employing radial or thrust bearings, rotor shaft position is determined without requiring air gap position sensors, resulting in a high reliability system. The flux paths for each respective electromagnetic force actuator of the active magnetic bearing are isolated in order to minimize the magnetic coupling therebetween. In this way, the current (or magnetomotive force, mmf) in each respective actuator is functionally related to the flux therethrough, independent of the currents (or mmf's) in adjacent actuators. Application of a digital PWM pole voltage waveform during normal bearing operation results in a ripple current waveform at the PWM switching frequency. The resulting change in stator pole current and pole voltage are measured, and the average differential inductance is determined therefrom.