A drive system for driving an AC electric machine includes an electric machine power converter that provides a primary current excitation vector having a magnitude and angle to drive the AC electric machine. A control system separate from or incorporated into the power converter causes the power converter to inject a carrier signal to the AC electric machine that is superimposed onto the current vector and that generates a carrier response signal that has sensitivity to magnetic alignment information of the AC electric machine at its operating point, the carrier response signal providing a measurable magnetic alignment signature of the AC electric machine. The control system causes the power converter to inject the carrier signal at an injection angle between a constant flux injection angle and a constant torque injection angle, to reduce noise and/or vibration of the AC electric machine caused by the injected carrier signal.