An acknowledgment (ACK) mapping automation that reduces overhead for a wireless communication systems such as UTRAN-LTE, Global System for Mobile communications (GSM: originally from Groupe Spécial Mobile), High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), or any packet-switched system, by providing a mapping of uplink (UL) location (i.e., modulation location in time, frequency and code) based upon a downlink (DL) allocations. Aspects address dynamic and persistent scheduling of user equipment (EU) with a selected combination of implicit and explicit mapping.