For certain embodiments of this application, a method and apparatus for generating pilots in a wireless multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) communication system is disclosed. The certain embodiments can include obtaining at least one pilot symbol for each antenna of a plurality of antennas, obtaining an orthogonal sequence for each antenna in the plurality of antennas, and covering the at least one pilot symbol for each antenna with the orthogonal sequence to obtain a sequence of covered pilot symbols for each antenna to obtain at least one covered pilot symbols for each of the plurality of antennas.