This invention is a method for time-sharing sounding resources. A first embodiment defines one common sounding period for all user equipment and all sounding resources. A second embodiment allows for different sounding periods so long as each individual sounding resource uses only one sounding period. A third embodiment offers the most flexibility in sharing of the sounding resources by permitting changes in time. The first option is a special case of the second option. The second option is a special case of the third option.