Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. One method may include receiving radio resource control signaling configured with a first set of demodulation reference signal parameters for transmission of an uplink data channel of a type, receiving downlink control information of a format to activate the transmission of the uplink data channel, identifying a second set of demodulation reference signal parameters for transmission of the uplink data channel of the type based on the received downlink control information, and activating the transmission of the uplink data channel using the first and second set of demodulation reference signal parameters.