Systems and methods are provided for optical topology detection and illumination. Embodiments provide an integrated system, and methods of operation thereof, where the integrated system includes an illumination system and an optical topology detection system, and where at least a portion of the spectral content of illumination light from the illumination system is within an optical detection bandwidth of the optical topology detection system, and where the operation of the optical topology detection system and the illumination system are interleaved to avoid crosstalk, such that the optical topology detection system detects the optical topology detection light when the illumination system is not emitting illumination light. The system may include, and control the operation of, an optical navigation system. The components of the system may be mounted to a rigid frame to maintain calibration.