A system employing resource element mapping for efficient use of the downlink control channel is provided for a wireless communication system. In one example, a method comprises: generating, by a base station device comprising a processor, resource element mapping signaling, wherein the resource element mapping signaling is performed per subgroup of physical resource blocks of a group of physical resource blocks; transmitting, by the base station device, a first resource element mapping pattern to a first subgroup of the group of physical resource blocks; and transmitting, by the base station device, a second resource element mapping pattern to a second subgroup of the group of physical resource blocks, wherein the first resource element mapping pattern is distinct from the second resource element mapping pattern.