Using emulation mode to control Agilent1260 Infinity LC Systems through WatersEmpower software

AbstractAgilent 1260 Infinity LC Systems can be operated using the Waters Empower 2 chromatography data software with ICS 1.05.

An Empower client/server system provides:• Easy installation and configuration of the Agilent 1260 Infinity LC System; mod-

ules with new product number need emulation mode via a special firmware (possible limitations of some features)

• Evaluation of two-dimensional, three dimensional and spectral raw data acquiredby Agilent 1260 Infinity UV detectors, except the Agilent 1260 Infinity DAD

• Support of maintenance and diagnostics through Agilent Lab Monitor andDiagnostic software

• Fast access to the Agilent 1260 Infinity LC System through the instant pilot controller

Author

A. Gratzfeld-Huesgen

Agilent Technologies

Waldbronn, Germany

Application Note

Pharmaceutical Analysis and Chemical Analysis

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IntroductionToday, a key requirement of HPLC usersis the control of new equipment throughthe software already deployed in theirlaboratory. This helps to reduce the costof user training and costs related to soft-ware licenses, IT effort and comparabili-ty of results. As a consequence, suppli-ers of software and instrumentation areworking to make their systems morecompatible. This publication describeshow and to what extent the WatersEmpower chromatography data softwarecan control the Agilent 1260 Infinity LCSystems. Configuration and operation ofan Agilent 1260 Infinity LC Systemsthrough Empower is demonstrated.

Supported Agilent 1200 InfinitySeries LC modulesFor details on supported 1200 InfinitySeries LC modules please follow thislink:http://www.chem.agilent.com/en-US/Support/Downloads/firmware/Pages/LC.aspx

The content of this website is constant-ly updated and contains information oncompatibility issues as well as instruc-tions for emulating instruments for usewith new modules with Empower. Inaddition, downloads of firmware arepossible using this link. The Agilentfirmware revisions for the 1260 Infinitymodules must be A.06.32, B.06.32. TheAgilent 1260 Infinity DAD (G4212B) isnot supported as of this publicationdate.

The following Agilent 1260 Infinity LC modules allow emulation of Agilent 1200Series modules:

• G1310B Isocratic Pump (replaces G1310A)

• G1311B Quaternary Pump (replaces G1311A)

• G1311C Quaternary Pump VL (replaces G1311A)

• G1312C Binary Pump VL (replaces G1312A)

• G1314F Variable Wavelength Detector (replaces G1314D)

• G1321B Fluorescence Detector (replaces G1321A)

• G1367E Autosampler (replaces G1367A/B/C/D; for D hardware upgradeis required)

The following already existing Agilent 1260 Infinity LC or Agilent 1290 Infinity LCmodules allow emulation of Agilent 1200 Series modules:

• G1316C Thermostatted Column Compartment (G1316A/B)

• G1314B Variable Wavelength Detector (G1314A)

• G1314C Variable Wavelength Detector (G1314A/B)

• G1329B Autosampler (G1329A)

• G1312B Binary Pump (G1312A)

The following Agilent 1260 Infinity LC modules require special firmware for downgrade due to hardware changes:

• G1312B Binary Pump

• G1376A Capillary Pump

• G2226A Nanoflow Pump

Currently not controllable modules The new Agilent 1260 Infinity DAD (G4212B), all Agilent 1220 Infinity LC Systemsand all Agilent 1290 Infinity LC modules besides the Agilent 1290 InfinityThermostatted Column Compartment are not yet controllable. Regular updates areavailable at

http://www.chem.agilent.com/en-US/Support/Downloads/firmware/Pages/LC.aspx

Configuration used for testing

ModuleEmulation moderequired Comment Limitation

Pump G1311B O was directly recognized asG1311A

Max pressure 400 bar

DAD G1315D O already supported Max data rate <0.01 min (0.1 s)

Oven G1316C P was emulated as G1316B door-open sensor not supported

Autosampler G1367E O was directly recognized asG1367C

No needle wash option

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This system as well as additionalWaters Acquity HPLC systems werecontrolled by Waters Empower 2 chro-matography data software withInstrument Control Software (ICS) version 1.05.2154, Service Pack A-Dinstalled.

Support of maintenance anddiagnostic featuresIn contrast to Agilent ChemStation soft-ware, third-party software typicallydoes not control all diagnostic andmaintenance features of the Agilent LCsystems. To help users bridge this gap,Agilent offers the LabAdvisor software,which runs on a separate PC and cancontrol maintenance functions such asEarly Maintenance Feedback (EMF) aswell as all diagnostic features. AgilentLabAdvisor software runs completelyindependent of instrument control soft-ware such as Waters Empower soft-ware. The use of Agilent LabAdvisorsoftware and Waters Empower soft-ware in parallel requires a special setupthat involves multiple network interfacecards in the LC instruments and dedi-cated PCs for the LabAdvisor software.In a Waters Empower software environ-ment, it is recommended to use theLabAdvisor software for instrumentmaintenance and diagnostics, but notfor continuous instrument monitoring.To access the LC instruments throughthe LabAdvisor software for mainte-nance and diagnostics, it is recom-mended to disconnect the LC instru-ments from Waters EmPower software.In this way no additional hardware or ITinfrastructure are required.

Agilent 1200 Infinity SeriesInstant Pilot controller The Agilent 1200 Infinity Series InstantPilot controller (G4208A) provides fastaccess to any 1260 Infinity LC System.Chromatographic parameters and MACaddresses can be verified as well as theinstrument status and error messages.The Agilent 1200 Infinity Series InstantPilot is also a powerful tool wheneverthe user needs to react quickly to a cer-tain situation. For example, it can turnoff the pump immediately if the controlsoftware goes down.

When connecting the instant pilot to anAgilent 1260 Infinity LC System that iscontrolled by third-party software, thesoftware may generate an error indicat-ing detection of an unknown module inthe system configuration. This error canbe prevented by making the instantpilot invisible to other controllers. Tochange the setting, open theConfigure–Controller menu, scroll to

the item “3rd party software” andchange to ON.

Backward compatible:OFF visible to other controllers(default)ON invisible to other controllers

System requirementsAn Empower client-server system isrequired to control an Agilent LCSystem (Figure 1). For details on how toinstall the instrument control software,refer to release note 716002507, Rev Aor newer, available from Waters. Whenconnected to the Empower chromato-graphic data system, the Agilent 1260Infinity LC (all dip switches to off)receives an IP address from the LAC/Ebus automatically through DHCP orBOOTP. In this example, the Agilent1260 Infinity LC System was connectedto the Empower chromatographic datasystem using a LAN cable. The mod-ules of the Agilent 1260 Infinity LCwere interconnected using CAN cables.

Figure 1Installation of the Agilent 1260 Infinity LC Systems within the Empower client-server environment .

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Agilent equipmentThe Empower software incorrectlylabels the Agilent 1260 Infinity LC as“A1100”. This is a software defect thathas not yet been corrected. The func-tionality and performance is not influ-enced by this incorrect label.

The full functionality of the Agilent1260 Infinity LC System is available,including operation up to 400 bar and adata rate up to 20 Hz for the Agilent1260 Infinity Diode Array Detector VL.During this test the Agilent 1260 InfinityLC System was running in the emula-tion mode.

Setting the communication protocolThe Agilent 1260 Infinity LC System isconfigured by clicking Configure Systemin the Empower main menu (Figure 2).

To check whether the Agilent 1260Infinity LC System has received an IPaddress after connection through aLAN cable to the LAC/E bus, clickConfigure System > LAC/E 32 con-troller > Properties > Configure DHCP.

Figure 3 shows that the Agilent 1260Infinity LC System, labeled as A1100,has received the IP address 192.168.0.7(last line of the list). This confirms thatthe Empower software has recognizedthe new LC system. To give the systema correct name, highlight A1100, clickEdit and then type, for example,A1260new.

Figure 2 Empower software main menu.

Figure 3 Checking the IP address of the Agilent 1260 Infinity LC System.

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The next step activates the Agilent1260 Infinity LC System for use (Figure 4a). In the configuration menu,click System and then New Instrument.When the configuration screenappears, drag-and-drop the A1260newsystem from the left to the right. Clickthe Access tab to share the instrumentand define users (Figure 4b).

Figure 4a Activating the Agilent 1260 Infinity LC through drag-and-drop in the configuration screen.

Figure 4b Defining share and user parameters.

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Figure 5 shows how to test if communi-cation is ready to use by clickingEmpower Nodes > Czc7424s3r >Properties > Instrument. The columnlabeled OK? indicates the readiness: Yesor No. If new modules are attached tothe existing A1260new-system withSCAN Instruments the system indicateswhether the new modules are recog-nized and accepted. If it turns to NO thenew module is not recognized. In thiscase use the emulation mode.

Empower support of AgilentequipmentThe Empower software supports allfunctionality of the Agilent 1260 InfinityLC Systems with the exception of:

• Injector programming

• EMF and other diagnostic tasks

• RFID tags on lamps and detector cells

• RFID tags on columns

• DAD recovery card

• Creation of additional compressibilitycurves by the user

Support of the Agilent 1260Infinity quaternary pump Figures 6 and 7 show the main setupscreens for the Agilent 1260 InfinityQuaternary Pump. The gradient, flowand stroke settings are entered. In thistest, water and acetonitrile were select-ed as solvents. All other modules aresupported through a similar menudesign (Appendix A).

Figure 5Checking if communication is active.

Figure 6 Setting up the main functions of the Agilent 1260 Infinity Quaternary Pump through the Empower software.

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Application exampleThis application example used the following workflow:

• Setting up the instrument

• Running a sample

• Finding the data

• Reviewing the results

The chromatographic parameters forthe individual modules are set upthrough Instrument Method > Edit(Figure 8).

Figure 7Selecting and defining solvent channels.

Figure 8Editing instrument method parameters and sequences.

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The setup screens for the modulesappear and the parameters can be set.The parameters are saved as an instru-ment method. After saving an appropri-ate Method Set, a sequence can be cre-ated. Using the Method Set, thesequence lines are filled out as in theupper left section of Figure 9. Thesequence is then saved as a SampleSet. After equilibration of the systemthe sequence can be started and alldata files are stored under the selectedSample Set name. When the sequencehas been completed the two-dimen-sional and three dimensional data canbe reviewed and evaluated (Figure 9).

In the Review screen, the parametersfor integration, calibration and otherdata evaluation are set and saved as aProcess Method. The report editor cre-ates a report and Figure 10 shows anexample based on the data createdusing the sequence and process methoddescribed in this example.

Figure 9Review screen for data evaluation and creating a process method.

Figure 10Example report created using the report editor.

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ConclusionThe Agilent 1260 Infinity LC System canbe controlled through the WatersEmpower chromatographic data systemsoftware, and all chromatographic para-meters required for optimum perfor-mance can be set. The emulation modeis required for control of modules withnew product numbers. The new Agilent1260 Infinity DAD (G4212A) is not yetsupported. Several specific featuressuch as injector programming are stillnot supported. An immediate support ofall Agilent hardware modules and all oftheir features will be provided as soonas the Agilent Instrument ControlFramework (ICF)1 is supported by theWaters Empower software. The mainte-nance and diagnostic features of theAgilent 1260 Infinity LC System are sup-ported by the Agilent LabAdvisor soft-ware, which runs on a separate PC andis completely independent from the LCcontrol software. Overall the combina-tion of the Agilent 1260 Infinity LCSystem and Empower software is anequivalent alternative for laboratorieswhere this software is deployed forinstrument control and data evaluation.

References1“The Agilent Instrument ControlFramework (ICF) - A short introductionfor end users of Agilent HPLC instru-mentation as well as third party instru-ment control providers”, Agilent 2010,pub. no. 5990-5756EN

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Appendix A

This appendix contains additional setup screens (Figures 11-14) for additional modules of the Agilent 1260 Infinity LC System.

Figure 11Setup screen for Agilent 1260 Infinity High Performance Autosampler.

Figure 12Setup screen for Agilent 1260 Infinity Diode Array Detector VL Plus.

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Figure 13Additional setup screen for Agilent 1260 Infinity Diode Array Detector VL Plus.

Figure 14Setup screen for Agilent 1260 Infinity Thermostatted Column Compartment.

www.agilent.com/chem/lc

© Agilent Technologies, Inc., 2010September 1, 2010Publication Number 5990-6429EN