This work presents an experimental investigation of the properties of microstrip patch antennas on bismuth niobate ceramic substrates. The substrate fabrication process and characterization are described. Several prototypes were built and measured for wireless communication systems. A good agreement was observed between measured and simulated results. The very high electrical permittivity of the ceramic substrate provided a reduction of the antenna dimensions. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 52: 1034–1036, 2010; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.25098