This　paper　proposes　a　novel　permanent　magnet　retarder　(PMR)　whose　stator　subassembly　is　a　magnetic　equipment　having　independent　work　system.　We　focus　on　designing　and　analyzing　its　structural　parameters.　It　is　simple　and　feasible　that　optimize　the　structural　parameters　of　the　magnetic　equipment　by　using　magnetic　circuit　design　method,　but　the　precision　of　the　result　is　not　enough.　We　can　get　the　relative　curve　between　thestructural　parameters　and　its　magnetic　force　by　using　the　finite　element　method　(FEM).　According　to　the　optimal　parameters,　we　design　four　kinds　of　magnetic　equipment　of　PMR.　Compared　with　the　analytical　and　experimental　results,　it　is　confirmed　that　FEM　is　suitable　for　optimizing　the　structural　parameters　of　magnetic　equipment.　Copyright　©　(2008)　by　the　Electromagnetics　Academy.