System and method for hybrid location in an LTE network

A method for estimating a location of a wireless device receiving signals from plural nodes of a long term evolution (“LTE”) communications network, the method comprising:

• (a) directing a wireless device to transmit a first signal having one or more predetermined parameters;
• (b) transmitting the first signal by the wireless device;
• (c) determining a range of the wireless device from a node serving the wireless device as a function of information in the transmitted first signal comprising:
• (i) determining a timing adjustment from signals transmitted by said serving node,
• (ii) receiving the transmitted first signal transmitted by the wireless device at a reference station,
• (iii) correlating the received first signal with a reference signal,
• (iv) determining time of arrival information from the correlated signal, and
• (v) determining a range of the wireless device from one or more of the plural nodes as a function of one or more of the time of arrival and timing adjustment information;
• and
• (d) determining a location of the wireless device as a function of the determined range.