Abstract: A bidirectional optical communication system includes first and second transceivers arranged at opposed ends of an optical medium. Opto-electronic devices within the transceivers are arranged on respective mounting surfaces of planar substrates. First and second optical assemblies couple the respective transceivers to the optical medium. The optical assemblies include first and second optical elements arranged along an axis normal to the substrates. The first optical element is transparent to the optical signal transmitted from the respective transceiver and redirects the received optical signal from the other transceiver. The optical assemblies enable a single alignment of the opto-electronic devices and the optical medium.