The present invention provides an apparatus and method for tracking alignment between transceivers (142, 144) for free-space optical communication. The method comprises the steps of receiving a received narrow optical beam (150, 152), determining an angle at which the optical beam is received, quickly shifting an alignment such that the alignment minimizes the angle, and directing a narrow transmit optical beam along the alignment. The method further shifting the alignment through at least a portion of a search pattern searching for the receive beam. The apparatus provides free-space optical communication, comprises an optical beam detector (164) configured to receive a received narrow tracking beam, an optical beam source configured to generate a narrow transmit tracking beam, and a controller configured to determine an angle of reception of the receive beam and to control a direction of transmission of the transmit beam such that the angle is minimized.
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