This disclosure describes methods, apparatus, and systems related to providing a source device more degrees of freedom in the performing CCA, and in using CCA for communicating with neighboring devices. Before accessing the channel, a source device may need to perform carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA), the CSMA/CA additionally comprising CCA. In various embodiments, CCA can be performed either using quasi-omnidirectional receiving antenna(s), or using directional receiving antenna(s). In one embodiment, one or more requisite conditions for performing directional CCA can be specified. In another aspect, sensitivity level adjustments can be provided when performing directional CCA and/or quasi-omnidirectional CCA.