A computer implemented method of simulating a pulsed radar gauge including a transceiver coupled by a process connection to a probe installed on a tank, comprising: providing an echo simulation algorithm including (i) a parametrized model of an echo reflection of a pulsed radar gauge responsive to a transmitted radar pulse launched into said tank defined by an initial spatial model function with function parameters provided by a user, including a signal amplitude as a function of distance, a width and a spatial attenuation, a first signal model comprising a damping factor modeling said radar pulse traveling through each media in its signal path, and a second signal model modeling a magnitude of a transmission and a magnitude of a reflection of said radar pulse striking boundaries involving said media (media boundaries) and (ii) an echo curve calculation program; and using a processor running said ECC program, said ECC program: dividing said signal path into a plurality of signal path components for said transmitted radar pulse using said first signal model together with said second signal model as a recursive executing program with stop conditions which whenever one of said stop conditions is reached provides an end result for ones of said plurality of signal path components that when taken together for reflected signals that reach said transceiver include locations of reflections and their respective amplitudes, and placing a shape of said initial spatial model function at each of said locations of reflections using said respective amplitudes applied to size their amplitude to generate a simulated echo curve. providing an echo simulation algorithm including (i) a parametrized model of an echo reflection of a pulsed radar gauge responsive to a transmitted radar pulse launched into said tank defined by an initial spatial model function with function parameters provided by a user, including a signal amplitude as a function of distance, a width and a spatial attenuation, a first signal model comprising a damping factor modeling said radar pulse traveling through each media in its signal path, and a second signal model modeling a magnitude of a transmission and a magnitude of a reflection of said radar pulse striking boundaries involving said media (media boundaries) and (ii) an echo curve calculation program; and using a processor running said ECC program, said ECC program: dividing said signal path into a plurality of signal path components for said transmitted radar pulse using said first signal model together with said second signal model as a recursive executing program with stop conditions which whenever one of said stop conditions is reached provides an end result for ones of said plurality of signal path components that when taken together for reflected signals that reach said transceiver include locations of reflections and their respective amplitudes, and placing a shape of said initial spatial model function at each of said locations of reflections using said respective amplitudes applied to size their amplitude to generate a simulated echo curve. dividing said signal path into a plurality of signal path components for said transmitted radar pulse using said first signal model together with said second signal model as a recursive executing program with stop conditions which whenever one of said stop conditions is reached provides an end result for ones of said plurality of signal path components that when taken together for reflected signals that reach said transceiver include locations of reflections and their respective amplitudes, and placing a shape of said initial spatial model function at each of said locations of reflections using said respective amplitudes applied to size their amplitude to generate a simulated echo curve.