Throughout recent history, remote sensors have come in a range of models, targeting specific types of threats, with varying results. Driveway sensors generally rely upon movement detection to alert users when a person, vehicle, or even an animal crosses the perimeter of their property. The alert comes in the form of a driveway alarm that is placed inside within earshot of residents, so they immediately know when a visitor has crossed their line of detection. Known as a wireless driveway alarm, it is the result of previous detection systems that have been improved upon over the years, to provide the best possible security alert system for its users.

Current alarm systems equipped for driveway movement detection are weatherproof and may use different types of movement detection, depending on the particular system. A popular option for sensors is ultrasonic detection. This method relies upon ultrasonic frequencies between twenty-five and seventy-five kilohertz, which are completely inaudible to humans. The detectors use the Doppler shift principle, where changes in frequency are detected due to object motion. This principle uses two conditions to determine movement, consisting of motion either towards or away from the receiver (and transmitter) and a change in the frequency on the ultrasonic level relative to the frequency the transmitter is outputting. Essentially, the ultrasonic waves, transmitted through the air, are reflected by solid objects in motion. Thus when solid surfaces are stationary, the frequency of the ultrasonic waves remains constantly equivalent to the transmitted waves, but a change in the frequency, initiated by a moving solid surface, triggers the alert on the alarm unit.

Another type of detection uses passive infrared detectors. These sensor provide reliable and affordable functionality, working by detecting whether an infrared object (one that emits heat, like a person, animal, or vehicle) is present by detecting the outside temperature of the monitored zone and then distinguishing a change in temperature from an object. This particular detection method does not require the output of energy, like ultrasonic detection, since it is simply detecting changes in infrared energy. Using the principle of differentiation, the sensors can determine whether an intruder is present, and if so, the alarm will be triggered. These two detection types are quite common for driveway applications; however, there are a multitude of detection methods, so it is important to be educated on how the alarm system works, so users of the system can appropriately respond to alerts.