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...
