Abstract This paper demonstrates the performance enhancement of a conventional planar antenna by incorporating metasurface (MTS) layer using a proposed unit-cell array. The impact of MTS unit-cell density on bit-error-rate (BER) and channel capacity (CC) in a point-to-point microwave link is investigated. The MTS layer is constructed from an array of identical unit-cells, including circular, square, and Jerusalem cross microstrip-line elements. The proposed H-shaped checkerboard antenna design is integrated with the MTS and evaluated for various unit-cell densities. Analytical scrutiny reveals significant enhancements in BER and CC with higher MTS unit-cell density, along with an increase in antenna gain through optimal MTS placement. This improvement is attributed to the MTS’s ability to concentrate radiated energy within a narrower spatial region, optimizing signal transmission. Experimental validation shows a strong correlation between analytical predictions and measured results, confirming the effectiveness of our methodology. This study not only highlights the impact of MTS configurations on wireless channel performance but also provides valuable insights into the design and optimization of future wireless communication systems.
