Described is a free space optical (FSO) node capable of communicating with a remote FSO node. The FSO node includes a Tx/Rx subassembly that is capable of simultaneously receiving and transmitting light carrying data, detecting the position/orientation of the received light signals, and aligning the Tx/Rx subassembly to account for misalignments with remote node. The Tx/Rx subassembly includes a central fiber for transmitting and receiving the optical signals so that the signal data can be processed. The Tx/Rx subassembly also includes a bundle of fibers that circumscribe the central fiber and receive a portion of received light signals to detect the position/orientation of the received light signals and align the FSO node with a remote FSO node.