This disclosure relates to using a dedicated reference subframes in a cellular communication system. According to one embodiment, a base station may transmit reference signals in a dedicated synchronization and measurement reference subframe. Neighboring base stations may also transmit reference signals in dedicated reference subframes in a temporally coordinated (synchronized) manner. The reference signals transmitted be each base station may be orthogonal with the reference signals transmitted by each neighboring base station. The reference subframes may be transmitted periodically, and data subframes may be transmitted between reference subframes. Some or all of the data subframes may not include cell-specific reference symbols, as their function may be unnecessary given the use of the dedicated reference subframes.