AirPort: Difference Between DSSS and FHSS

Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS) and Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS) are two different technologies in the IEEE 802.11 specification. They are incompatible with each other.

Frequency Hopping technology is older and is limited by government regulation to 2 megabits per second.

Direct Sequence technology is becoming more widespread and supports data rates of up to 11 megabits per second. Apple uses DSSS technology because it is equivalent to Ethernet data rates.

Note: Wireless Internet access requires an AirPort Card, AirPort Base Station, and an Internet service provider, for which fees may apply. Some ISPs are not compatible with AirPort. America Online (AOL) works with AirPort software version 2.0 or later. For more information on AOL compatibility, see technical document 106591: "AirPort: How to Use with AOL." Range may vary with site conditions.