A wireless obstacle detection system includes a wireless photosensitive sensor and a communication module designed to provide a retrofit solution for easily adding obstacle detection capabilities to a previously installed barrier operator system. In one form, the wireless obstacle detector can be provided with a gateway device for adding additional functionality, including enabling long range remote operation of a barrier operator. To facilitate ease of installation, the communication module can communicate with a large variety of barrier operators including using at least two different protocols for communication with obstacle detectors. Such communication may be wireless or wired, depending on the barrier operator and communication protocol implemented by a particular previously installed barrier operator. The communication module may be designed to configure itself to operate with the communication protocol of the previously installed barrier operator. Once configured to be able to communicate with the previously installed barrier operator, the communication module receives communications from the wireless obstacle detector about the presence or absence of an obstacle at or near the barrier and transmits a corresponding communication to the barrier operator using the correct protocol.