Method and system for signaling transmission layers for single user and multi user MIMO

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by a processor of an eNodeB, cause transmission of a downlink control information ‘DCI’ message identifying, to a user equipment ‘UE’, a selected combination of one or more transmission layers selected by the eNodeB for a data transmission to the UE, each transmission layer associated with a dedicated reference signal ‘DRS’ port;

• wherein the DCI comprises first information indicating a number of transport blocks and second information indicating an index value and;
• wherein the index value identifies the selected combination from within a first plurality of combinations when the first information indicates a first number of transport blocks, and from within a second plurality of combinations when the first information indicates a second number of transport blocks.

A method at an eNodeB, comprising:

• transmitting to a user equipment ‘UE’ a downlink control information ‘DCI’ message identifying a selected combination of one or more transmission layers selected by the eNodeB for a data transmission to the UE, each transmission layer associated with a dedicated reference signal ‘DRS’ port;
• wherein the DCI comprises first information indicating a number of transport blocks and second information indicating an index value and;
• wherein the index value identifies the selected combination from within a first plurality of combinations when the first information indicates a first number of transport blocks, and from within a second plurality of combinations when the first information indicates a second number of transport blocks.

A method at a user equipment ‘UE’, comprising:

• receiving, from an eNodeB, a downlink control information ‘DCI’ message identifying a selected combination of one or more transmission layers selected by the eNodeB for a data transmission to the UE, each transmission layer associated with a dedicated reference signal ‘DRS’ port;
• wherein the DCI comprises first information indicating a number of transport blocks and second information indicating an index value and;
• wherein the index value identifies the selected combination from within a first plurality of combinations when the first information indicates a first number of transport blocks, and from within a second plurality of combinations when the first information indicates a second number of transport blocks.