Agilent LC & CE Drivers 3.7 SR1

Importance of the Topic

Analytical laboratories rely on robust instrument control drivers to ensure accurate data acquisition, reproducible workflows and seamless integration with chromatographic data systems. Agilent’s LC & CE Drivers enable precise coordination of pumps, detectors, autosamplers and fraction collectors, supporting high-throughput methods, method parameter overrides and multi-module clusters essential for modern LC and CE instrumentation.

Objectives and Overview of the Release

This release note describes version 3.7 SR1 of the Agilent LC & CE Drivers. It aims to present new features, compatibility prerequisites, installation guidelines and documentation updates. The note consolidates changes affecting method parameter overrides, hardware and software compatibility matrices, localization options, and instructions for driver installation or update.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The release process involved:

• Implementing new software support for threshold-based peak triggers in fraction collector modules.
• Validating driver compatibility with multiple operating systems (Windows Server 2016/2019, Windows 10/11) and chromatographic data systems (OpenLab CDS 2.5–2.8, MassHunter 11.0/12.0, ChemStation C.01.10/C.01.11).
• Testing language localizations (English, Chinese, Japanese, Brazilian Portuguese) within various CDS environments.
• Verifying forward and backward firmware compatibility across A/B/C/D architectures for over 150 LC and CE modules (pumps, autosamplers, detectors, valves, thermostats, fraction collectors and cluster configurations).

Main Findings and Discussion

New support for a method parameter override of the “Threshold of 4 Peak Triggers” allows dynamic adjustment of fraction collector operation directly from sequence tables. This enhances flexibility in preparative workflows. The compatibility matrix confirms which firmware revisions each module requires (e.g., D.07.34 for Infinity II fraction collectors) and lists supported CDS and OS combinations. Localization testing ensures consistent user interface translation, though not all CDS variants support every language. Installation procedures recommend updating system firmware to minimum required levels before driver deployment and describe step-by-step update methods via OpenLab or MassHunter MSI packages.

Benefits and Practical Applications

Enhanced drivers deliver:

• Greater flexibility in preparative fraction collection through on-the-fly method overrides.
• Improved reliability and performance by aligning driver and firmware versions.
• Broad OS and CDS compatibility to accommodate diverse laboratory environments.
• Cluster driver configurations for advanced setups such as 2D-LC, multi-column thermostats or high-dynamic-range DAD clustering.

Future Trends and Potential Uses

Emerging directions in instrument control include deeper integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), cloud-based remote monitoring, artificial intelligence–driven method optimization and extended support for multimodal workflows. Future driver releases are likely to expand support for next-generation modules, enhanced data-streaming capabilities and web-service APIs for real-time system diagnostics and predictive maintenance.

Conclusion

Agilent LC & CE Drivers 3.7 SR1 deliver targeted enhancements to fraction collector control, broaden compatibility across platforms and provide updated installation guidance. By harmonizing firmware and software ecosystems, laboratories can maintain high throughput, accuracy and flexibility in LC and CE operations.

Reference

• Software Status Bulletin (SSB): Known limitations and workarounds.
• Software Release Bulletin (SRB): Fixed issues in version 3.7 SR1.
• Firmware documentation for minimum required revisions per module.