Abstract: A method to enhance gain of a microstrip patch antenna is investigated. Here the main radiating square patch is surrounded by four side patches. The effect of side patches on the absolute gain of antenna is studied. In absence of side patches the highest absolute gain of the antenna is 5.3 dBi. Maximum absolute gain of 7.85 dBi is obtained in presence of all the side patches. Prototypes of the antenna are fabricated for experimental validation. The measured return loss, gain and radiation patterns are in good agreement with their simulated counterpart for all four antennas. The proposed antenna is simple, less costly and highly suitable for wireless communications.

Keywords: Microstrip patches antenna; low cost; high gain.