A survey of more than 700 IEEE Fellows, done by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers in conjunction with the Institute for the Future, sought to learn what science and technology developments are most likely to take hold within the next 10 to 50 years.

Last month you got me started on building a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) transceiver. You covered the transmitter discussion and promised to come back to explain the receiver and error-correction code.

It's clear that developers see RFID-and-sensor networks as a key growth area. A sampling of recent developments in tags (sidebar) and infrastructure prove it.

iPackets International Inc. will use the ARM7 system-on-chip 802.11 wireless technology for its next-generation compact iPMine-M8 810C tracking device, scheduled for market later this year.

The Do-It-Yourself DSSS Transceiver

What is the difference between the licensed and unlicensed bands and why should I care?

Receiver Sensitivity and Signal Levels

Linking RFID with production tools in one of its semiconductor wafer fabrication plants allows IBM to track the production of each wafer, for more efficient fabrication and improved factory scheduling.

Some people say WiFi and ZigBee can work side by side; others say they cannot.