Methods and apparatuses schedule resources and identify resource scheduling in a MU MIMO wireless communication system. A method for identifying resource scheduling for a UE includes receiving downlink control information; identifying, from the downlink control information, one or more DM-RS ports assigned to the UE and a PDSCH EPRE to DM-RS EPRE ratio; and identifying data intended for the UE in a resource block in a downlink subframe using the one or more DM-RS ports and the PDSCH EPRE to DM-RS EPRE ratio. A method for scheduling resources includes identifying one or more DM-RS ports to assign to a UE and a PDSCH EPRE to DM-RS EPRE ratio for identifying data intended for the UE in a resource block in a downlink subframe; and including an indication of the one or more DM-RS ports and the PDSCH EPRE to DM-RS EPRE ratio in downlink control information.