Configurations of the optical system 250 may include transmitter optics that are separate from receiver optics. As such, communication link 22a may be formed between transmitter optics of one communication device and receiver optics of another communication device. For example, the first communication device 200a may form a communication link 22a with the second communication device 200b using transmitter optics in optical system 250a of the first communication device 200a and receiver optics in optical system 250b of the second communication device 200b. The transmitter optics in optical system 250a at the first communication device 200a may transmit a beacon beam 24a, which the receiver optics in optical system 250b at the second communication device 200b locates and identifies to form a communication link 22a. Once the communication link 22a is formed, the one or more processors 210a can send communications 20 to the second communication device 200b. Similarly, the transmitter optics in optical system 250b at the second communication device 200b may transmit an optical beacon beam 24b, which the receiver optics in optics system 250a at the first communication device 200a locates and identifies to form a communication link 22b. Once the communication link 22b is formed, the one or more processors 210b can send communication signals 20 to the first communication device 200a. In some examples, it is sufficient to establish one communication link 22 between the first and second communication devices 220a, 220b, via the optical systems 250a and 250b, which allows for the bi-directional transmission of data 23 between both devices 200a, 200b.