Rick,
Thanks for your quick reply and help. Clarifies things greatly for me.
Could I ask one more question,
The EVM has the 16 header pins. In the design file schematic (slvc593.zip/DRV8313EVM_SCH.pdf) there is a note against J1 "J1 can be used to inetrface DRV8313 from external Micro-Controller". This suggests that I could hook up a MSP430 launch pad onto these pins and not have to touch the on board MSP430 but I don't see how to disengage the on board MSP430.
In the first reply on this topic (e2e.ti.com/.../321917) it is suggested to remove the zero jumper resistors?
In order to drive DRV8313EVM with external controller, you must remove the on board zero jumper resistors, as mentioned in EVM schematic and use J1 connector to drive DRV8313 chip on-board.
I don't quite understand the zero jumper resistors reference and I am a little hesitant about physically dismantling the board.
Thank you!