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Agilent ChemStation revision B.04.02 revolutionizes instrument control

By Ute Bober
Agilent Product Manager, Lab Informatics

New instrument technologies often require new software interfaces – yet, the new user interfaces must be consistent with familiar ones and be simple to use. Understanding that, Agilent has undertaken a major revision of ChemStation software to add support for the new Agilent 1290 Infinity LC and 7100 Capillary Electrophoresis systems. New revision B.04.02 of Agilent ChemStation for GC, LC, LC/MS, CE, and CE/MS provides the latest instrument control capabilities for LAN-based Agilent liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis (CE) instruments.

Figure 1. The LC instrument dashboard is embedded in the new Agilent ChemStation Method & Run Control View, and provides all important information at a glance. (Click here to see this image larger.)

Easier, more consistent and flexible operation

The software features a new graphical user interface for instrument control, called “dashboard,” which is the same in both Agilent ChemStation and Agilent EZChrom Elite chromatography data systems. Instrument methods are stored in the same XML-based format, which provides additional consistency between the data systems.

But the new technology has a lot more to offer. Another major benefit is the simplicity of the intuitive instrument dashboard (Figure 1). It replaces Agilent’s classic LC and CE graphical system diagram, which established an industry standard upon its introduction more than 10 years ago.

The following summarizes the most important advances in the new instrument control:

	The highly customizable representation is continuously adjustable in size. You can freely arrange the order of displayed instrument modules and may concentrate on some modules of interest while minimizing others. Further, you can choose to display more detailed information for each module.
	For parameters such as pump pressure or voltage, graphical displays of current values, method settings, and limits allow you to immediately see the status, even from a distance.
	New, intuitive instrument graphics help you to more easily identify the module and see the current status.
	You can display multiple modules of the same type (for example, pumps).
	Individual device names that you choose help to better distinguish identical modules.
	Icons indicate, for example, whether an external contact board is installed in a module, or whether an RFID tag is present for column ID, flow cell, or lamp. Tool tips reveal the information stored in the tags.
	You can edit the instrument method in a single tabbed method user interface.

Standard features include tooltips and one-click access to dialog boxes. As shown in Figure 2, the same benefits apply to both the Agilent LC and CE ChemStation.

Figure 2. The new CE instrument control dashboard displays information about the CE instrument and diode array detector. Important parameters like voltages and currents are shown in setpoints and actual values. (Click here to see this image larger.)

The new combined sample information area (see Figure 1) provides all information on the current run, and can be toggled between short and extended displays. A mouse click on the tray icon in the sample information area reveals a larger display of the sample tray that you can move to a suitable location.

The new method resolution functionality checks the instrument method for consistency with the current instrument configuration. Instrument diagnostics are done independently of Agilent ChemStation in Agilent Lab Advisor.

Instrument control using latest Microsoft technology

The innovative software user interface is based on the unique Agilent RC.NET driver technology. Agilent will build all future drivers for chromatography instruments based on the modern development platform from Microsoft^® called .NET. The latest generation of gas chromatographs successfully adopted this technology with the Agilent 7890A GC system. Now the modular LC and new CE instruments have done the same.

Integration of the RC.NET drivers for all of Agilent’s 1200 Series LC systems is another key step in modernization of Agilent ChemStation. Previous steps included integration of Agilent ChemStation with Agilent OpenLAB Enterprise Content Manager (ECM) as the data backend, and the addition of a convenient Microsoft Outlook-style navigation pane.

Agilent ChemStation B.04.02 still provides the choice to use the classic system diagram for instrument control. Not all LC configurations are initially available with the new driver technology. For details, please contact your Agilent Representative.

Figure 3. The calibration tab of Easy Sequence makes the setup of complicated calibrations – such as cyclic recalibrations or bracketing – simple and intuitive. (Click here to see this image larger.)

Simplified sequence planning and queuing

A new optional sequencing wizard called “Easy Sequence” makes the setup of new sequences and sequence queuing very fast. Easy Sequence splits the sequence setup into two phases. First is a planning step, where you define the general structure, including calibration, blanks, and controls; and specify methods, file naming and more. Second is an execution step, where you create individual sequences and submit them to a queue for serial acquisition in Agilent ChemStation.

New features increase productivity

With easier instrument control and sequencing, as well as standardization on the latest Microsoft technology, ChemStation B.04.02 provides user-friendly control of Agilent’s latest instruments and its reliable classics. To learn more, please visit us on the Web to get more information on the new RC.NET driver technology and Agilent ChemStation, or contact your Agilent Representative.

Microsoft is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

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