def open(self, baudrate=BAUDRATE, no_reader_thread=False):
        """
        Opens the device.

        :param baudrate: baudrate to use
        :type baudrate: int
        :param no_reader_thread: whether or not to automatically start the
                                 reader thread.
        :type no_reader_thread: bool

        :raises: :py:class:`~alarmdecoder.util.NoDeviceError`
        """
        # Set up defaults
        if baudrate is None:
            baudrate = USBDevice.BAUDRATE

        self._read_thread = Device.ReadThread(self)

        # Open the device and start up the thread.
        try:
            self._device.open(self._vendor_id,
                              self._product_id,
                              self._endpoint,
                              self._device_number,
                              self._serial_number,
                              self._description)

            self._device.set_baudrate(baudrate)

            if not self._serial_number:
                self._serial_number = self._get_serial_number()

            self._id = self._serial_number

        except (usb.core.USBError, FtdiError) as err:
            raise NoDeviceError('Error opening device: {0}'.format(str(err)), err)

        except KeyError as err:
            raise NoDeviceError('Unsupported device. ({0:04x}:{1:04x})  You probably need a newer version of pyftdi.'.format(err[0][0], err[0][1]))

        else:
            self._running = True
            self.on_open()

            if not no_reader_thread:
                self._read_thread.start()

        return self