A single cycle positioning system utilizing a three phase wye connected induction motor (10) includes a three phase inverter (28) and a microprocessor (20) for controlling the inverter to generate three phases of power. Pulse width modulation techniques are utilized and in response to a start signal the frequency of the power to the motor is increased up to a running frequency, and in response to a stop signal the frequency of the power applied to the motor is decreased along with a corresponding reduction of the voltage applied to the motor.