SN@Pmate is becoming reality (for me anyway).
I had previously shown a few pictures of my idea to make a SNAP adapter so we can get 3.3v/5v from the SNAP. I also added an Esp32 as a telnet-serial adapter so any serial output from the target can simply go back to the sn@pmate and not need another serial-usb adapter. It worked ok, but MCHP will eventually get their features rolling on the snap where there can be a channel back to the pc via the snap (at least I get that impression from reading the help, but may be wishful thinking).
So I decided to simplify, and stick to the main idea. An adapter board that fits in a standard case so we (I) can get the 5/3.3v for the target power. I cannot figure out what that 3.3v regulator is on the snap board (mainly its current capacity), so just decided to do my own 3.3v from the usb 5v with the advantage I can probably get a little extra current by using a buck converter with better efficiency. The 5v is limited by the snap (via a current limit ic) to about 1 amp, so the limitation is probably going to be that or whatever the usb port is willing to deliver. Should be plenty in any case.
I also decided to make available all 8 pins even though I currently only need the 5. I really don't like any connectors, so decided to go with one I dislike the least- a 10pin idc shrouded/keyed header. One row matches with the 5pin pic scheme, so can use any 5pin connector currently used with a pic (although male/female is reversed, but no matter because it is always wrong anyway). There are 2 pins for power- 3.3v/5v which is always available (the snap power pin does what it originally designed for- detect target voltage only, so can still use external power if wanted). The remaining 3 pins are for whatever MCHP wants to do with them in the future (or maybe are already used, I don't know).
I designed and sent away for the pcb's, 3 from oshpark, and 10 from jlpcb (I wanted white, and wanted to check these doods out). The jlpcb boards to about 8 days, the oshpark boards took about 3 days longer.
I'm still not done, but close (need to cut case for connector cutouts). I'm kind of making it up as I go. I didn't know what I was going to use for contacts between the boards so just made a contact board to attach to the snap, and some holes in my snap board to make some kind of contact connection. There is only 2mm space between boards, and by the time you add a contact pcb in there, there is only 0.4-1mm space. I'm sure there is something available, but could not find anything that would work with that small gap. Anyway, an rg58 center conductor became my 'spring' contacts. Everything fits snugly in the box, so am not too worried about maintaining contact.
Some photos of progress -
https://photos.app.goo.gl/HA7EgmibKAuhWsRN7(the hammer was used to drive a tight-fitting wire through the snap and the contact board- then snipped both sides and used a punch to 'rivet' the boards together- was just trying to come up with a non-solder way to get those boards connected)
By the way, I have been using the snap on a pic32mm, and it works quite well. I think it may even be faster than the speed of light. There have been a few times I wold have to unplug/plug when mplabx could not find it, but it was usually when doing usb stuff (incorrectly) on the pic32mm. Unless they decide to somehow screw up the firmware in the future this is a nice little programmer/debugger. Just needs a case and some power output.