The present invention relates to a method of generating pilots in a wireless multiple-input multiple output(MIMO) communication system, comprising: obtaining a pilot symbol for each antenna in a plurality of antennas; obtaining an orthogonal sequence for each antenna in the plurality of antennas, wherein the plurality of antennas are assigned different orthogonal sequences; and covering the pilot symbol for each antenna with the orthogonal sequence for the antenna to obtain a sequence of covered pilot symbols for the antenna, wherein a plurality of sequences of covered pilot symbols for a plurality of orthogonal pilots are obtained for the plurality of antennas.