Agilent 8860 GC - Firmware Bulletin - Revision 2.2.2.4

Importance of Firmware Management in Gas Chromatography

Firmware updates for GC systems are essential to maintain instrument performance, ensure data reliability, preserve compliance with validation protocols and enable interoperability with data systems and peripherals.

Objectives and Overview

This bulletin documents the evolution of Agilent 8860 GC firmware (model G2790A), detailing version history, compatibility notes for third-party Chromatography Data Systems, validation guidance and a step-by-step firmware update workflow.

Methodology and Instrumentation

• Agilent 8860 GC (G2790A) mainframe
• GC Firmware Update Tool version 2.3.3.0 or later
• Agilent GC Drivers (version 3.4.191 and up)
• Third-party CDS: Waters Empower 3 ICF v2.6 U2, Thermo Fisher Chromeleon 7.2

Main Firmware Updates and Discussion

Current production firmware 2.2.2.4 (Jan 2021) addresses connectivity issues during column compensation downloads and detector-signal streaming. Previous releases introduced:

• v2.2.0.287: Sample Selector II support, mobile-optimized browser interface, enhanced split ratios (up to 12 500:1), higher detector data rates (up to 500 Hz) and extended PIN length (4–8 digits)
• v2.1.0.626: Optimized manual injection workflow, Gasifier II compatibility, updated multilingual help and diagnostics enhancements
• v2.0.0.391: Integrated sulfur chemiluminescence detector (SCD), hydrogen sensor module, programmable clock table and sleep/wake modes
• Initial v1.0.61: Base functionality and digital analog-output calibration

Benefits and Practical Applications

Regular firmware updates deliver improved user interfaces (touchscreen and web), robust remote monitoring, expanded peripheral support and consistent method transfer across laboratories.

Future Trends and Applications

Emerging priorities include secure cloud-based firmware distribution, IoT-enabled predictive diagnostics, AI-driven performance optimization and tighter integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS).

Conclusion

Maintaining the latest 8860 GC firmware ensures reliable operation, full compatibility with data systems, seamless validation and access to new features without instrument revalidation.

Used Instrumentation

• Agilent 8860 GC (G2790A)
• GC Firmware Update Tool (v2.3.3.0+)
• Agilent GC Drivers (v3.4.191+)

References

• Service Note 8860 Series GC-024 (Firmware v2.2.2.4)
• Service Note 8860 Series GC-022 (Firmware v2.2.0.287)
• Service Note 8860 Series GC-016 (Firmware v2.1.0.626)
• Service Note 8860 Series GC-014 (Firmware v2.0.2.8)