The Atmel/Microchip ICE programming cable for SWD/ICSP interfaces is junk. Someone decided to perhaps save a few pennies and design these ICE programmers with tiny 1.25mm pitch connectors that connect to cables that are prone to premature failure. The ICSP end is especially fragile with loose wires hanging in mid air, it’s very easy to damage it and won’t take any abuse. Even with gentle care the thin wires will just break inside the jackets and programming becomes intermittent then fails. Not to mention the spicy $37.40 plus S/H. The box it come in is a beauty to behold and has had proper attention but unfortunately doesn’t help with anything.
So to avoid this situation, or at least delay/alleviate it, I just extended the ICSP part of it and added proper DUPONT wires, and encapsulated the thin wiring in hot glue. I have some other ideas of how to fully do away with this cable but for now this is a quick hack.
I’m not sure why I’m documenting this but after becoming the proud owner of a failed cable worth $40+ and having to buy another, maybe someone at Microchip has a face palm moment and changes this into a more premium design worthy of the premium price tag.
What a shame for Microchip … At least it seems that they are selling a different version of this cable now. And I see now “only” ~11$ as price at digikey — but this is still expensive IMHO …
Good that there are makers all over the world offering alternatives — and making such misbehavior of huge companies public.
Thanks for your work!