In the first stage mentioned above, an AP can detect frames from STAs or other APs from a nearby, overlapping BSSs. The AP observes the level of RF interference (by determining Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) levels of the Overlapping BSS (OBSS) STAs and APs). Then, the AP can determine whether collisions are being caused by the OBSS devices.

In the second stage described above, once detected, the AP may communicate with the other AP(s) on the same BSS and can agree to synchronize the OFDMA Scheduling and Resource Allocation (SRA) mechanisms across the APs in the same BSS and the OBSS. This agreement may be a handshake process. Once the handshake agreement is made between the OBSS APs, the APs can initiate an IEEE 1588 Precision Time Protocol (PTP) to ensure the system clocks are synchronized across the APs. Clock synchronization is important because the schedule generated relies on precise timing of the inter-AP OFDMA scheduling.

Then, in stage three mentioned above, the APs can elect an OFDMA Scheduling Master, and the other APs become slaves. The selection of the master AP can be accomplished through various methods or processes, and could even be selected at random.