Dr. Stephen P. Keeler
The Boeing Company
P. O. Box 3707, MS 7L-21
Seattle, WA 98124-2207
Phone: 425-865-3519
Fax: 425-865-2966
E-mail: stephen.p.keeler@boeing.com
Steve Keeler is manager of the Geometry and Optimization group in Boeing's applied mathematics organization. The group specializes in geometric modeling, computer-aided geometric design, numerical optimization, design automation, data fitting, computational geometry and optimal control. They work with engineers on the design and manufacture of commercial aircraft, military and space systems. They also conduct research and development and do consulting and software development for non-Boeing customers. In the course of a year they may work on 100 different applications of mathematics. Steve joined Boeing after completing his doctorate in math at the University of Washington in 1981.
Developing a Geometric Algorithm for a Military Airplane
Military aircraft process various kinds of data to compute their own position, course, speed and attitude, as well as those of other aircraft. This includes external signals, such as radar returns and Global Positioning System transmissions, and internal signals from their inertial navigation systems or other sources. To interpret, combine and make use of this information it must be resolved in various coordinate systems. This talk describes elementary examples of the reference frames which are commonly used and transformations among them. The main feature of the talk is the derivation of a contracting-map algorithm for computing geodetic latitude. It is a good example of industrial mathematics, both in its technical content and in the sociological issues that arose in its development.
Getting Math Off the Ground: Applied Mathematics at Boeing Boeing's applied mathematics group works with engineers on the design and manufacture of Boeing products, conducts applied research and development, and does consulting and software development for non-Boeing customers. This talk describes the types of problems and applications we deal with and the mathematical disciplines and other skills which are important. It also deals with the special constraints that arise in an industrial setting and outlines some considerations of importance for a mathematician contemplating an industrial career.