A method for operating a user equipment (UE) comprises receiving configuration information for at least one channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resource that comprises PCSIRS CSI-RS ports; receiving configuration information for channel state information (CSI) feedback that is based on Q precoding dimensions, wherein: there is a mapping between the PCSIRS CSI-RS ports and the Q precoding dimensions, and PCSIRS≠Q; measuring the PCSIRS CSI-RS ports; determining a measurement for the Q precoding dimensions based on the mapping and the measurement for the PCSIRS CSI-RS ports; determining a CSI feedback based on the measurement for the Q precoding dimensions; and transmitting, over an uplink (UL) channel, the determined CSI feedback.