docs: def connect(self, interface=None):
          """Connect to the USB for the hottop.
  
          Attempt to discover the USB port used for the Hottop and then form a
          connection using the serial library.
  
          :returns: bool
          :raises SerialConnectionError:
          """
          if self._simulate:
              return True
          if not interface:
              match = self._autodiscover_usb()
              self._log.debug("Auto-discovered USB port: %s" % match)
          else:
              self.USB_PORT = interface
  
          try:
              self._conn = serial.Serial(self.USB_PORT, baudrate=self.BAUDRATE,
                                         bytesize=self.BYTE_SIZE,
                                         parity=self.PARITY,
                                         stopbits=self.STOPBITS,
                                         timeout=self.TIMEOUT)
          except serial.serialutil.SerialException as e:
              raise SerialConnectionError(str(e))
  
          self._log.debug("Serial connection set")
          if not self._conn.isOpen():
              self._conn.open()
              self._log.debug("Serial connection opened")
          return True