C2000 Product line with relation to Software used

blipton said:

The 'M' series piccolos have secure ROMs that support InstaSpin-MOTION (like the one found on the TMDSCNCD28054MISO control card),

Correct. The "M" devices also include InstaSPIN-FOC.  The -MOTION just enables use of the SpinTAC Suite which allows for

sensorelss velocity control (easier to tune than the one in InstaSPIN-FOC)

sensored velocity or position control (easier to tune and create real motion systems vs. the sensored examples in controlSUITE)

blipton said:

while the smaller 'F' series have ROMs that support InstaSpin-FOC.

The "F" series aren't smaller per se. The 5x and 6x versions of the "F" and "M" only differ in having the MOTION capability. FOC alone is also supported in the F28027F device, where MOTION is not.

blipton said:

Both do sinusoidal commutation,

The default is sinusoidal, but by using the code in proj_lab10 you can experiment space vector and even trapezoidal over-modulation.

blipton said:

The older InstaSpin-BLDC is based on Stellaris and

No, InstaSPIN-BLDC was first release on the Piccolo F2803x devices with the kits DRV8312-C2-KIT, DRV8301-HC-C2-KIT, and DRV8302-HC-C2-KIT.  It was subsequently offered on Stellaris and Hercules kits...as well as running on MSP430 with the DRV8313 kit.

blipton said:

and does not have a custom rom

correct, it is simply a library.

blipton said:

It's gui (Crosshairs Embedded) is found in the controlSUITE

for the Piccolo devices, yes.

blipton said:

Also, when incorporating the Piccolo or the Delfino on my own board, can the tuning GUIs be used or are they too closely coupled with the architecture of the kit hardware (usb, etc)?

The instaspinuniversalgui can be used with your own hardware. All the other GUIs mentioned are essentially locked to the embedded firmware. It would be difficult or impossible to support for your HW/SW.