Tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) was characterized by ultra-narrow line width laser and wavelength modulation, which makes it possible to scan a single absorption line. TDLAS has an advantage in trace gas analysis for its high resolution, high sensitivity and quick response. The 1 626.8 nm absorption line of ethylene was selected for detecting by analyzing its absorption line characteristic. The TDLAS system was developed with a white type multi-pass cell, combined with wavelength modulation and harmonic detection. Ethylene concentration ranges from 20 to 1 200 ppmv were tested using this system. The estimated detection limit of the system is 10 ppmv.