Spatial transmit/receive isolation apparatus and method for optical communication systems

A method for isolating transmit and receive optical beams having a common wavelength to ensure genderless interoperability in an optical communication system, the method comprising the steps of:

• transmitting a transmit optical beam at a particular base wavelength along a transmit path;
• receiving a receive optical beam at the same particular base wavelength along a receive path wherein at least a portion of the receive path is separate from the transmit path;
• and
• providing an annular mirror having a receive beam region and a center aperture;
• providing a steering mirror disposed in the transmit path and the receive path wherein the steering mirror has a single surface;
• and
• reflecting an entirety of the transmit optical beam transmitted along the transmit path and an entirety of the receive optical beam received along the receive path using the single surface of the steering mirror;
• wherein the single surface of the steering mirror receives the transmit optical beam through the center aperture of the annular mirror and reflects the receive optical beam to the receive beam region;
• and
• wherein the steering mirror effects a desired degree of angular separation between the transmit optical beam and the receive optical beam.