Pseudo-random sequences of a plurality of user equipment specific reference signals (UE-RSs) for use by a plurality of user equipments (UEs) are initialized, the initialization of each pseudo-random sequence associated with each UE-RS being independent of a specific UE identifier and independent of a resource bandwidth assigned to a specific UE. Pseudo-random sequences of the UE-RSs are generated. At least one of the pseudo-random sequences is mapped to a portion of common resources for at least one UE among the plurality of UEs.