A synchronous brushless machine having a single exciter field stator winding. The single exciter field stator winding is energized by a high frequency alternating current to provide a single excitation field to magnetically couple with the exciter field armature winding in both the starter mode and the generator mode. With a higher excitation frequency relative to the main armature current frequency, a steady main field voltage can be achieved which improves stability control while in the starter mode. In one or more configurations, the single exciter field stator winding is driven by a H-bridge converter.