Abstract: There are certain tasks that require humans to proceed on foot over intervening terrain (that may include “improved” segments such as paved roads and bridges) from some starting point A to some objective or destination point B, and perhaps thence to additional points C and D. Exemplars of civilian endeavors include forest firefighting, search and rescue, surveying, exploration, and recreational hiking. Military applications include infantry and special operations forces movements. In many of these endeavors, it is desired to be as rested as possible when reaching the destination in order to have the energy remaining to successfully or optimally accomplish some “objective” activity. The present invention provides a methodology for computing the route for a human being traveling on foot over arbitrary terrain from any point A to any other point B (and if desired to points C, D, etc. beyond) such that the human energy expended walking from Point A to point B (and any points beyond) is minimized.

Abstract: A system and method for reducing coupled noise in a multilayer circuit board having signal lines disposed within a set of wiring channels on each of a plurality of the layers; and, a vias disposed within a set of via channels. According to a first embodiment, otherwise unused vias traverse the layers and are connected with otherwise unused signal lines to form electrical nets, thus reducing coupled noise throughout the module. In the context of the above-described environment, a method for reducing coupled noise includes the steps of determining the locations of unused ones of the wiring channels and unused ones of the via channels; providing shield lines disposed within the unused wiring channels and unused via channels; and, interconnecting the shield lines with one another and to a reference voltage by way of at least one terminating resistance.