In one aspect, identification and communication systems are described herein. In some embodiments, an identification and communication system comprises one or more query units and one or more response units, wherein at least one query unit comprises a query beam source comprising a light emitting diode (LED) operable to emit a query beam. In some embodiments, the query beam is substantially collimated. In some embodiments, an identification and communication system comprises one or more query units and one or more response units, wherein at least one query unit comprises a first query beam source operable to emit a first component beam and a second query beam source operable to emit a second component beam. In some embodiments, the first query beam source comprises an LED and the second query beam source comprises a laser. In some embodiments, the first component beam and the second component beam are substantially concentric.