If the optical power into an optical receiver is too high but within the loss budget, what should be done to optimize it?

Installing an optical attenuator is the appropriate action to take when the optical power into an optical receiver is too high, even if it is within the loss budget. An optical attenuator reduces the power level of the optical signal reaching the receiver without significantly affecting the signal quality. This is important because excessive optical power can lead to receiver saturation or non-linear effects, resulting in signal distortion. By using an optical attenuator, you can ensure that the power signal is maintained within the optimal range for the receiver, allowing it to operate efficiently and effectively.

In contrast, increasing the power source would further increase the input power, potentially exacerbating the saturation issue. Reducing the distance of the connection may not be practical and does not address the problem of too much power. Adjusting the electrical interface is unrelated to the optical input levels and would not solve the underlying issue of optical power exceeding optimal levels.