What do DSSS and FHSS mean?
DSSS and FHSS are different ways of dividing the 2.4GHz band up into channels. DSSS (Direct Sequence) aggregates adjacent sub-bands into wide frequency channels (that overlap) while FHSS (Frequency Hopping) uses all the sub-bands individually in particular hopping patterns. The SS part (spread spectrum) refers to the general technique of spreading signal power over a large band to defeat some types of noise or interference including jamming. Both DSSS and FHSS are mentioned in the 802.11 standard. However, they are completely incompatible! You need to ensure that cards intended to talk to each other use the same thing. All 802.11b cards are DSSS.
