A compact 10 Gb/s avalanche photodiode (APD) module is developed that employs an integrated micro-electro-mechanic system (MEMS) variable optical attenuator (VOA).The structure and basic characteristics of the 10 Gb/s APD-TIA subassembly are introduced.The performances of integrated MEMS VOA are tested,its attenuation varies with the applied voltage,dynamic range of discrete APD is increased by VOA at least 50% (13 dB),which is an ideal result for the application of Metro dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM),and is also an effective way to compensate signal change in high speed optical communication system.The test results of the optical receiver and the eye pattern of 10 Gb/s APD subassembly are reported,a sensitivity of -26.5 dBm and a clear eye diagram of receiver are achieved.