An optical receiver for use in a fiber-to-the-home, FTTH, system, the optical receiver configured to receive an optical signal and to provide a RF signal, said optical receiver comprising: a photodiode configured to convert an optical signal into an RF signal; a plurality of gain stages (320, 335, 350, 360) configured to amplify the RF signal throughout the optical receiver, wherein the plurality of gain stages comprises: a preamplifier stage; a postamplifier stage; and first and second interstage amplifiers coupled between the preamplifier and postamplifier stages, and whereby the plurality of gain stages are positioned throughout the optical receiver to provide a postamplifier output signal having a desired level; a first gain control network configured to receive the RF signal from the photodiode, wherein the RF signal comprises an input power level of the optical signal, and for providing an optical control signal; a first attenuator coupled between the preamplifier stage and the first interstage amplifier, the first attenuator configured to receive the optical control signal and to attenuate the RF signal when the optical control signal indicates that the input power level of the optical signal is beyond a predetermined threshold; a second gain control network coupled to an output of the postamplifier stage, the second gain control network configured to provide a second RF control signal that is indicative of a level associated with the postamplifier output signal; and a second attenuator coupled between the first interstage amplifier and the second interstage amplifier, said second attenuator configured to attenuate the RF signal based on the second RF control signal in order to maintain the postamplifier output signal at the desired level. a photodiode configured to convert an optical signal into an RF signal; a plurality of gain stages (320, 335, 350, 360) configured to amplify the RF signal throughout the optical receiver, wherein the plurality of gain stages comprises: a preamplifier stage; a postamplifier stage; and first and second interstage amplifiers coupled between the preamplifier and postamplifier stages, and whereby the plurality of gain stages are positioned throughout the optical receiver to provide a postamplifier output signal having a desired level; a preamplifier stage; a postamplifier stage; and first and second interstage amplifiers coupled between the preamplifier and postamplifier stages, and whereby the plurality of gain stages are positioned throughout the optical receiver to provide a postamplifier output signal having a desired level; a first gain control network configured to receive the RF signal from the photodiode, wherein the RF signal comprises an input power level of the optical signal, and for providing an optical control signal; a first attenuator coupled between the preamplifier stage and the first interstage amplifier, the first attenuator configured to receive the optical control signal and to attenuate the RF signal when the optical control signal indicates that the input power level of the optical signal is beyond a predetermined threshold; a second gain control network coupled to an output of the postamplifier stage, the second gain control network configured to provide a second RF control signal that is indicative of a level associated with the postamplifier output signal; and a second attenuator coupled between the first interstage amplifier and the second interstage amplifier, said second attenuator configured to attenuate the RF signal based on the second RF control signal in order to maintain the postamplifier output signal at the desired level.