A novel microstrip patch antenna miniaturization technique based on multilayer meanderly folded shorted-patch structure is introduced. The technique enables a decrease of the original shorted (quarter-wavelength) patch dimension by the factor 1/N where N is a number of vertically placed patch plates above the ground plane while maintaining a quarter wavelength resonant length. The antenna operational principle is explained via both E-field distribution inside the antenna structure and the surface current distribution on the conductive parts of the antenna. Two variants of the miniaturized patches with the footprint dimension approx. ～λ{sub}0/12 and λ{sub}0/16 are simulated, realized and measured.
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