Beaconless laser alignment with beamforming

A machine-implemented method for establishing a free-space optical communication link between stations, the machine-implemented method comprising:

• determining an initial search field for use by a first station in establishing the free-space optical communication link with a second station;
• scanning a non-optical beam from a non-optical wireless transmitter of the first station according to a first specified search pattern within the initial search field;
• receiving a first indication from the second station that the non-optical beam has intercepted the second station;
• using data about the received first indication from the second station to establishing a refined search field for use by the first station in establishing the free-space optical communication link with the second station;
• scanning an optical field of an optical system of the first station according to a second specified search pattern within the refined search field;
• and
• receiving a second indication from the second station that the optical field is aligned with an optical system of the second station;
• wherein the second station comprises a second radio frequency transceiver configured to transmit data for use by the first station in determining the initial search field including the second indication indicating that the optical field is aligned with an optical system of the second station;
• and
• wherein the first station is configured to receive the second indication using a first radio frequency transceiver.