Abstract: An optical data distribution system, for densely packed transmitter/receiver modules, of a phased-array antenna which includes an optical source and a plurality of light bars for distributing the optical energy to the photoconductor of each respective transmitter/receiver module. Each bifurcated light bar has an entrance aperture coupled to the optical source through a star coupling and branched light distributing elements branching from the entrance aperture air gap bridging optics to direct the light from each output aperture of fiber bundles to the photodetector.