If the second set amount of time passes and no communication link has been established with the secondary device, the one or more processors 210 of the primary device moves the first optical system 250 of the primary device to a next beacon position for the second set amount of time using the pointing hardware 260 of the primary device. After each expiration of the second set amount of time without establishment of communication link 22, the first optical system 250 of the primary device may be moved to a next beacon position in the primary search pattern 800. In this way, for each beacon position of the primary search pattern 800, the secondary device may repeat the secondary search pattern 700 until the secondary device detects the beacon beam 24 from the primary device.