Patent ID: 7579980

Claim:
A ground vehicle collision prevention system, comprising: a proximity detection unit being a radio frequency detection and ranging apparatus (RADAR) positioned at least proximate to an aircraft and coupled to at least one transducer proximate to at least one selected structural portion of the aircraft, the at least one transducer being an antenna suited for use at microwave radio frequencies, the proximity detection unit being operable to emit ranging signals through the at least one transducer and to receive reflected signals through the at least one transducer to determine the position of an object within a ranging area adjacent to the selected structural portion, the ranging area subdivided into at least (1) a first field region adjacent to the at least one selected structural portion, and (2) a second field region adjacent to the first field region and spaced apart from the at least one structural portion, the proximity detection unit is operable to generate: a first alarm signal having a first alarm signal characteristic when the object is positioned within the first field region; and a second alarm signal having a second alarm signal characteristic when the object is positioned within the second field region.