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petMAP+II USB
The USB connector at the top of the petMAP+II unit is available for advanced users who want to
monitor the data generated by the unit during a monitoring session on a local computer monitor in real
time. Also, in the future, optional Bluetooth output will become available and the requirements for
Bluetooth connection to a computer are the same as those described below for USB connection to a
computer using a cable.
The data output to the USB connector is identical to the text data that is written to the SD card and
described above with an example output shown in that section; however, image data is not available on
the USB connector.
The USB cable must be connected to the unit and to a PC/MAC. However, to display and/or capture the
data using the USB, the user must use a terminal type program, such as HyperTerminal, and the proper
communications port for the connected USB client device (ie, petMAP+II) linked to the specific terminal
program being used. Although such terminal programs for connecting computers to USB and serial
communications devices like petMAP+II are widely available (some are free on the Internet), they all
require user setup which can be very tricky, and may be beyond many good computer users skill set. It
is suggested that if this USB function is desired, a computer person familiar with the specific program
used (or at least the class of programs) be consulted to set up the system appropriately.
Setup parameters for a terminal program to connect to a petMAP+II are: 115.2 kBaud, 8 data bits, 1
stop bit, no parity, no flow control.
Although USB (and Bluetooth) provide capability that may be desirable in some settings, it comes at a
cost in terms of complexity of setup and computer and petMAP+II coordination. Though the petMAP+II
data is not displayed in realtime using the SD card for archive purposes, for most users, the SD card
provides a simpler way to display and archive petMAP+II data on a computer rather than using the USB
connection function.
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