In this paper, a nonlinear controller based on adaptive back-stepping method is proposed for high performance operation of IPMSM(Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor). First, in order to improve the performance of speed tracking a nonlinear back-stepping controller is designed. Since it is difficult to control the high performance driving without considering parameter variation, a parameter estimator is included to adapt to the variation of load torque in real time. In addition, for the efficiency of power consumption of the motor, controller is designed to operate motor with minimum current for maximum torque. The proposed controller is applied through simulation to the a 2-hp IPMSM for the angular velocity reference tracking performance and load torque volatility estimation, and to test the MTPA(Maximum Torque per Ampere) operation in constant torque operation region. The result verifies the efficacy of the proposed controller.