Recently, ceramic patch antennas have been intensively researched for mobile communication systems. This work shows the unique use of Bi0.5Na0.5TiO3 (BNT) ceramic in microstrip patch antenna substrates for 8–12 GHz operation. The synthesized ferroelectric perovskite-based substrate of thickness t = 1.02 mm was utilized to produce the simulated antenna. The relevant electromagnetic parameters of permittivity, permeability, dielectric loss, magnetic loss, and miniaturization factor were studied. Characterization procedures are used to analyze the synthesized sample's crystal structure, local vibration, surface morphology, and elemental analysis. The rectangular-based split ring microstrip patch antenna's reflection loss, return loss, and radiation pattern were calculated using CST Microwave Studio v. 2019. The best yield result of simulation is − 55 dB which corresponds to the fabricated result of about − 25 dB for substrate thickness of t = 1.02 mm. The uniqueness of the synthesized sample has been modified parametrically by modifying its thickness for t = 0.9 mm, t = 1 mm, and t = 1.02 mm among which t = 1.02 mm thickness of the substrate is optimal for optimum results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]