"It was like something out of a Tom Clancy novel," says Greg Kleese, describing
one of his first electrical engineering assignments after graduating. He was
commissioned to work on a top secret radio system for one of the government's
high-tech spy planes, the SR-71 Blackbird.
The engineers' movements and testing were restricted. "We were only allowed
to view documents in certain rooms and we had to do bench-testing for the
design in other rooms," he says.
Kleese was prepared for the technical aspects of the job, but was a bit
overwhelmed by the military secrecy and protocol. "I'd never had any experience
working with secret documents and it was exciting," he says.
Not only was the secrecy exciting, but Kleese also got to work on state-of-the-art
computer-aided design software. "We were using stuff that wasn't available
to others at the time."
The team of engineers designed and tested circuits that went into the spy
plane's radio, but they weren't invited to see any flight tests. "We just
sat by in another room and got reports on the testing. We didn't have the
top secret clearance needed to get in."
When Kleese was in the fourth grade, he didn't picture working on spy planes,
but he knew he wanted to be an engineer. "I've always been fascinated with
building things, and I thought I wanted to be a civil engineer."
At university he dropped out of civil engineering and opted to study mathematics.
But he wasn't happy without a practical engineering component in his studies.
"I loved the math, but it was theoretical. Electrical engineering put the
math to use in problem solving." The problem was solved: Kleese completed
a degree in electrical engineering.
Since then, Kleese has had the opportunity to design semiconductors, a
basic component of various kinds of electronic circuit equipment. "We do everything
from the control of home heating to the control of a spacecraft," he says.
Kleese's company also produces parts for all kinds of household thermostats
-- from the basic round ones you see on the wall to very specialized ones
that can be programmed.
His company also crafted the cockpit electronics for the Boeing 777, the
first aircraft with all-electronic controls.
Before, when a pilot wanted to change direction, he would pull a lever
that would mechanically move a rudder. "Now everything will be done electronically,"
says Kleese. Instead of dials, the cockpit is full of digital readouts.
Far from instant digital readouts, Sheila Hemami struggles with her antiquated
home computer. "It takes a long time for any images to download," says Hemami,
an electrical engineering professor at Cornell University.
Some websites have large images at a very high resolution. "I have to wait
a long time to see a beautiful picture of the Eiffel Tower. And when I finally
do get it, it looks crummy on my machine anyway," she says.
It may be fine for people who have state-of-the-art equipment and fiber
optic cables, but the fact is that everyone has different means of processing
the information that's available online.
Hemami wants to change all that. She's currently working on a research
project that will change the way images and video files are downloaded.
If someone is casually flipping through an online garden catalog, they
don't always need high-resolution images. "If you're just browsing through
the tulip section, you want to be able to see what they look like, but you
don't want to have to wait a long time," says Hemami. "On the other hand,
you might be willing to wait longer to see a high-resolution image of roses.
"Every person has different requirements and different needs," she says.
And people who have been creating websites have tried to cater to these needs
by supplying images of different sizes and resolutions for people to look
at.
However, it takes up a lot of disk space to supply different versions of
an image. This fact usually limits the viewer to seeing a large, terrific
image or a crummy small version.
Hemami and her research team are working on changing that. With their new
system, anyone can look at the catalog at whatever size they choose, even
though the image only has to be stored once.
"Picture a pointer on the screen that would let you download the entire
image," explains Hemami. "If you only want a little picture, then you slide
the pointer over and download a portion." With the pointer, you can determine
the size of the image or choose how long you're willing to wait for the image,
and the computer will pick the corresponding size.
Advancements in the communications area of electrical engineering
are moving rapidly. "It's an exciting place to be," says Hemami. "As more
and more people get wired, there will be a tremendous opportunity for electrical
engineers."
Geoff Calverson is an electrical engineer on the West Coast. "I design,
lay out and help install electrical systems for new buildings," he explains.
"Right now, I'm working as a contractor, but at various times I've worked
with large or small construction companies. I've also done consulting work
and some theoretical system designs for clients who've requested them."
Calverson began his career after completing a bachelor's degree in electrical
engineering. When he graduated, he landed a job with a construction company
and began to work full time on designing and implementing electrical systems
for buildings.
"As a kid, I was always interested in lighting, mechanics and putting things
together," says Calverson. "I grew out of my obsession with cars when I went
into university. So, I guess electrical systems were the next step."
He has some recommendations for people wanting to pursue this career.
"This is a great field for people who like working with wires and actually
putting systems together. It's like solving a puzzle sometimes. But make sure
that you've got the patience and the interest in the field to do the work
required."