Methods, apparatus, systems, architectures and interfaces for reference signal (RS) configuration, generation, and/or transmission in a transmitter/receiver. The method includes receiving information indicating any of at least first and second modes of operation for transmitting a discrete Fourier transform (DFT)-spread-orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) symbol including a reference signal (RS), and transmitting the DFT-s-OFDM symbol including: (1) the RS and data tones, on condition that the information indicates the first mode; or (2) the RS and null tones, on condition that the information indicates the second mode, wherein the DFT-s-OFDM symbol is divided into a number of segments, each including a chunk of RS tones, and wherein any of a size or a location of the chunk is determined according to any of the first or second modes.