Multiple degree of freedom bimorph positioner and controller

A free-space optical communication system comprising first and second transceivers that transmit data to one another via collimated optical signals, wherein each transceiver comprises:

• a primary receiving optical component;
• an optical signal detector;
• a multiple-degree of freedom bimorph positioning apparatus including:
• a plurality of bimorph members connected end-to-end, each bimorph member including at least one piezoelectric bimorph element that causes a portion of the bimorph member in proximity to said at least one piezoelectric bimorph element to deform in response to a drive voltage input to that piezoelectric bimorph element, said plurality of bimorph members including:
• a first bimorph member having a free end and a fixed end coupled to a primary support member upon installation;
• and
• a last bimorph member, having a first end operatively coupled to the free end of the first bimorph member and a free end;
• and
• an end effector coupled to the free end of the last bimorph member;
• and
• an optical fiber cable having an end portion coupled to the end effector and being capable of being supplied with an energy input that causes an optical signal to be emitted from the end portion of the optical fiber cable;
• and
• a controller that controls an orientation of the end portion of the fiber optic cable via the end effector such that the optical signal transmitted by the transceiver is directed toward the primary receiving optical component of the other transceiver in a manner that produces a substantially maximized optical signal strength over time as measured by the optical signal detector of the other transceiver.