Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate scrambling of downlink reference signals utilizing a pseudo-random sequence (PRS) corresponding to a primary synchronization code (PSC) and secondary synchronization code (SSC) combination. Utilization of the combination allows for orthogonal sequencing to be removed from the scrambling. This can be beneficial, for example, where resources required for orthogonalizing the reference signal outweigh the benefit of utilizing the orthogonal sequences. In such scenarios, selective scrambling can be utilized such that the orthogonal sequence or instead the PSC/SSC combination can be provided to leverage advantages of both mechanisms in the given scenarios.