A multi-channel, multi-port optical tap coupler comprising: an alignment base element; a first sub-assembly at a first end of the alignment base element, the first sub-assembly having a first array of waveguides, each waveguide having a radial offset and an azimuthal position with respect to a center axis of the first array of waveguides and wherein the array of waveguides includes at least two transmission waveguides and at least two receiving waveguides and each receiving waveguide of the array of waveguides has a corresponding transmission wave guide that is separated by an azimuthal angle of 180 degrees; a second sub-assembly at a second, opposing end of the alignment base element, the second sub-assembly having a second array of waveguides, the second array of waveguides including a waveguide having the same radial offset and the same azimuthal position as each of the transmission wave guides of the first array of wave guides; first and second focusing elements (114, 115), the first focusing element adjacent to the first sub-assembly and on the alignment base element and the second focusing element adjacent to the second sub-assembly and on the alignment base element; a reflective filter configured to reflect a predetermined amount of light and to transmit a predetermined amount of light, the reflective filter located on the alignment base element adjacent to, and in-between, the first and second focusing elements (114, 115), wherein the first and second sub-assemblies (100, 118), first and second focusing elements (114, 115), reflective filter and alignment base element are joined together in unitary relationship by virtue of said first and second sub-assemblies (100, 118) further comprising mating surfaces wherein mechanical alignment features on said sub-assemblies are configured to engage corresponding receiving features in a first groove on the alignment base element, and by virtue of the alignment base element having a second, v-shaped groove for enabling passive optical alignment of the first and second focusing elements (114, 115) and the reflective filter. an alignment base element; a first sub-assembly at a first end of the alignment base element, the first sub-assembly having a first array of waveguides, each waveguide having a radial offset and an azimuthal position with respect to a center axis of the first array of waveguides and wherein the array of waveguides includes at least two transmission waveguides and at least two receiving waveguides and each receiving waveguide of the array of waveguides has a corresponding transmission wave guide that is separated by an azimuthal angle of 180 degrees; a second sub-assembly at a second, opposing end of the alignment base element, the second sub-assembly having a second array of waveguides, the second array of waveguides including a waveguide having the same radial offset and the same azimuthal position as each of the transmission wave guides of the first array of wave guides; first and second focusing elements (114, 115), the first focusing element adjacent to the first sub-assembly and on the alignment base element and the second focusing element adjacent to the second sub-assembly and on the alignment base element; a reflective filter configured to reflect a predetermined amount of light and to transmit a predetermined amount of light, the reflective filter located on the alignment base element adjacent to, and in-between, the first and second focusing elements (114, 115), wherein the first and second sub-assemblies (100, 118), first and second focusing elements (114, 115), reflective filter and alignment base element are joined together in unitary relationship by virtue of said first and second sub-assemblies (100, 118) further comprising mating surfaces wherein mechanical alignment features on said sub-assemblies are configured to engage corresponding receiving features in a first groove on the alignment base element, and by virtue of the alignment base element having a second, v-shaped groove for enabling passive optical alignment of the first and second focusing elements (114, 115) and the reflective filter.