A monitoring module configured to communicate physiological information to a platform device, the monitoring module characterized by comprising: at least one connector comprising an array of 20 pins, wherein the connector is configured to connect to a corresponding connector of the platform device, the array of 20 pins comprising: at least two pins configured for receiving UART communications; at least two pins configured for transmitting UART communications; at least one pin configured for communicating diagnostic information between the monitoring module and the platform device; at least one pin configured to be coupled to a ground; at least one pin configured to be coupled to a serial clock; at least one pin configured for transmitting and receiving serial communications; at least one pin configured to be coupled to a regulated power supply; at least one pin configured to be coupled to an unregulated power supply; and at least two pins configured for standardized universal serial bus communication between the monitoring module and the platform device; and wherein: the corresponding connector comprises a corresponding array of 20 pins for interfacing with the array of 20 pins of the monitoring module connector. at least one connector comprising an array of 20 pins, wherein the connector is configured to connect to a corresponding connector of the platform device, the array of 20 pins comprising: at least two pins configured for receiving UART communications; at least two pins configured for transmitting UART communications; at least one pin configured for communicating diagnostic information between the monitoring module and the platform device; at least one pin configured to be coupled to a ground; at least one pin configured to be coupled to a serial clock; at least one pin configured for transmitting and receiving serial communications; at least one pin configured to be coupled to a regulated power supply; at least one pin configured to be coupled to an unregulated power supply; and at least two pins configured for standardized universal serial bus communication between the monitoring module and the platform device; and wherein: the corresponding connector comprises a corresponding array of 20 pins for interfacing with the array of 20 pins of the monitoring module connector. at least two pins configured for receiving UART communications; at least two pins configured for transmitting UART communications; at least one pin configured for communicating diagnostic information between the monitoring module and the platform device; at least one pin configured to be coupled to a ground; at least one pin configured to be coupled to a serial clock; at least one pin configured for transmitting and receiving serial communications; at least one pin configured to be coupled to a regulated power supply; at least one pin configured to be coupled to an unregulated power supply; and at least two pins configured for standardized universal serial bus communication between the monitoring module and the platform device; and wherein: the corresponding connector comprises a corresponding array of 20 pins for interfacing with the array of 20 pins of the monitoring module connector. the corresponding connector comprises a corresponding array of 20 pins for interfacing with the array of 20 pins of the monitoring module connector.