Extension of UE-RS to DWPTS

1. A method that facilitates sending reference signals for channel estimation in a wireless communication environment, comprising:

identifying a number of symbols from a subframe utilized for downlink transmission;

selecting a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission; and

mapping UE-RSs to resource elements of the subframe as a function of the UE-RS pattern.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subframe is a regular subframe and all symbols from the subframe are identified as being utilized for the downlink transmission.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subframe includes a Downlink Pilot Timeslot (DwPTS) and the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission are identified as being a number of symbols included in the DwPTS as configured.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subframe is sent to a relay and includes one or more symbols reserved as gap symbols.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein a time domain component of the UE-RS pattern includes code division multiplexing (CDM) groups on a same set of symbols.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein frequency domain components of the UE-RS pattern are unchanged based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by time-shifting the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein a set of time domain components of the UE-RS pattern are time-shifted by a common number of symbols.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein a set of time domain components of the UE-RS pattern are time-shifted by differing, respective numbers of symbols.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is time-shifted, and at least one disparate time domain component is unchanged in time.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by puncturing one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the UE-RS pattern is selected based upon whether the downlink transmission is sent to one of a relay or a user equipment.

13. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to identifying a number of symbols from a subframe utilized for downlink transmission, selecting a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission, and mapping UE-RSs to resource elements of the subframe as a function of the UE-RS pattern; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

14. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the subframe is one of a regular subframe, a subframe that includes a Downlink Pilot Timeslot (DwPTS), or a subframe sent to a relay that includes one or more symbols reserved as gap symbols.

15. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13 , wherein a time domain component of the UE-RS pattern includes code division multiplexing (CDM) groups on a same set of symbols.

16. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13 , wherein frequency domain components of the UE-RS pattern are unchanged based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission.

17. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by time-shifting the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

18. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17 , wherein a set of time domain components of the UE-RS pattern are time-shifted by a common number of symbols.

19. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17 , wherein a set of time domain components of the UE-RS pattern are time-shifted by differing, respective numbers of symbols.

20. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is time-shifted, and at least one disparate time domain component is unchanged in time.

21. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by puncturing one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

22. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13 , wherein the UE-RS pattern is selected based upon whether the downlink transmission is sent to one of a relay or a user equipment.

23. A wireless communications apparatus that enables sending reference signals in a wireless communication environment, comprising:

means for identifying a number of symbols from a subframe utilized for downlink transmission;

means for selecting a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission; and

means for mapping UE-RSs to resource elements of the subframe as a function of the UE-RS pattern.

24. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 23 , wherein a time domain component of the UE-RS pattern includes code division multiplexing (CDM) groups on a same set of symbols.

25. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by time-shifting the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

26. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by puncturing one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

27. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for identifying a number of symbols from a subframe utilized for downlink transmission;

code for selecting a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission; and

code for mapping UE-RSs to resource elements of the subframe as a function of the UE-RS pattern.

28. The computer program product of claim 27 , wherein a time domain component of the UE-RS pattern includes code division multiplexing (CDM) groups on a same set of symbols.

29. The computer program product of claim 27 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by time-shifting the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

30. The computer program product of claim 27 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by puncturing one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

31. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a processor, coupled to a memory, configured to:

identify a number of symbols from a subframe utilized for downlink transmission;

select a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission; and

map UE-RSs to resource elements of the subframe as a function of the UE-RS pattern.

32. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 31 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by one or more of time-shifting the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern or puncturing one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

33. A method that facilitates estimating a channel in a wireless communication environment, comprising:

identifying a number of symbols from a subframe assigned for downlink transmission;

recognizing a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission;

detecting UE-RSs on resource elements of the subframe specified by the UE-RS pattern; and

estimating a channel based upon the UE-RSs.

34. The method of claim 33 , wherein a time domain component of the UE-RS pattern includes code division multiplexing (CDM) groups on a same set of symbols.

35. The method of claim 33 , wherein frequency domain components of the UE-RS pattern are unchanged based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission.

36. The method of claim 33 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by time-shifting the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

37. The method of claim 36 , wherein a set of time domain components of the UE-RS pattern are time-shifted by a common number of symbols.

38. The method of claim 36 , wherein a set of time domain components of the UE-RS pattern are time-shifted by differing, respective numbers of symbols.

39. The method of claim 36 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is time-shifted, and at least one disparate time domain component is unchanged in time.

40. The method of claim 33 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by puncturing one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

41. The method of claim 33 , wherein the subframe is one of a regular subframe, a subframe that includes a Downlink Pilot Timeslot (DwPTS), or a subframe sent to a relay that includes one or more symbols reserved as gap symbols.

42. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions related to identifying a number of symbols from a subframe assigned for downlink transmission, recognizing a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission, detecting UE-RSs on resource elements of the subframe specified by the UE-RS pattern, and estimating a channel based upon the UE-RSs; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory.

43. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 42 , wherein a time domain component of the UE-RS pattern includes code division multiplexing (CDM) groups on a same set of symbols.

44. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by time-shifting the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

45. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 42 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by puncturing one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

46. A wireless communications apparatus that enables estimating a channel in a wireless communication environment, comprising:

means for identifying a number of symbols from a subframe assigned for downlink transmission;

means for recognizing a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission;

means for detecting UE-RSs on resource elements of the subframe specified by the UE-RS pattern; and

means for estimating a channel based upon the UE-RSs.

47. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 46 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by one or more of time-shifting the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern or puncturing one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

48. A computer program product, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising:

code for identifying a number of symbols from a subframe assigned for downlink transmission;

code for recognizing a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission;

code for detecting UE-RSs on resource elements of the subframe specified by the UE-RS pattern; and

code for estimating a channel based upon the UE-RSs.

49. The computer program product of claim 48 , wherein the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern is varied based upon the number of symbols from the subframe utilized for the downlink transmission by one or more of time-shifting the at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern or puncturing one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern.

50. A wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

a processor, coupled to a memory, configured to:

identify a number of symbols from a subframe assigned for downlink transmission;

recognize a user equipment specific reference signal (UE-RS) pattern based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission, wherein at least one time domain component of the UE-RS pattern varies based upon the number of symbols from the subframe assigned for the downlink transmission;

detect UE-RSs on resource elements of the subframe specified by the UE-RS pattern; and

estimate a channel based upon the UE-RSs.