An electric machine according to an embodiment includes a rotor and a stator, the stator having a stator core and a plurality of drive modules. The stator core has a plurality of slots, and the plurality of drive modules are configured to collectively produce an aggregate rotating magnetic field. Each respective drive module includes a power supply configured to generate a respective poly-phase alternating current (AC) output, the respective poly-phase AC output having a plurality of respective phases. Each respective drive module is connected to a plurality of respective conductor windings, each respective conductor winding including a plurality of respective conductors, each respective conductor configured to carry a respective phase of the respective poly-phase AC output. Each respective drive module is configured to generate a respective rotating, poly-phase, multipole magnetic field, the respective rotating, poly-phase, multipole magnetic field being a superimposition of a plurality of respective mono-phase, multiple magnetic fields, each respective mono-phase, multipole magnetic field being generated by a respective conductor of the respective conductor winding carrying a respective phase of the respective poly-phase AC output. Each respective rotating, poly-phase, multipole magnetic field is configured to interact with the rotor to produce a respective magneto-motive force (MMF) that causes the rotor to rotate. The aggregate rotating magnetic field is a superimposition of the plurality of respective rotating, poly-phase, multipole magnetic fields generated by the plurality of respective drive modules. The electric machine is, e.g., a motor drive system.