In this study, an improved tunable external cavity diode laser (ECDL) is proposed. It is on the basis of narrow band interference filter, and its theoretical research is carried out as the light source of tunable diode laser absorption spectrum-wavelength modulation spectrum (TDLAS-WMS) system. The proposed model can use piezoelectric ceramic actuator to change and modulate its output central wavelength so that the laser central wavelength could periodically scan the absorption spectral band of the desired gas. Compared with the tunable monolithic diode laser, the narrow band interference filter based tunable ECDL might be able to accurately sense the type and concentration of a large variety of gases. Therefore, it can be used in the TDLAS-WMS system for high precision gas sensing and is expected to replace the tunable monolithic diode laser.