A beam steering apparatus and method for free space optical transceivers
is disclosed. The beam steering function is performed internally by way
of translating an internal optical fiber in the focal plane of the
transceiver telescope using miniature micro-electro-mechanical systems
(MEMS). The optical design of the transceiver provides a wide field of
view and a pointing and tracking field of regard that is directly
proportional to the translation of the optical fiber in the focal plane
of the telescope. The apparatus and method can eliminate the need for
external gimballing systems, and replace the gimballed free space optical
beam steering function with MEMS that consumes very little power.