Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A base station may identify a sounding reference signal (SRS) configuration for user equipment (UE). The base station may transmit an SRS grant message to a UE indicating the SRS configuration. An indication of SRS parameters may be included in the SRS grant message, and may include the SRS parameters or a location of the SRS parameters. That is, SRS parameters may be transmitted in a control channel with the SRS grant message or may be separately sent in a data channel as indicated by the indication of SRS parameters. In some cases, SRS parameters may be determined based on previously received UE feedback regarding channel conditions or power limitations. Alternatively, the base station may make its own environment measurements or assign SRS parameters autonomously. The UE may signal SRS transmissions to the base station according to the SRS grant message.