Optimization of passive metamaterial design with high effective medium ratio for wireless communications

•A novel eight distinct squares shaped (SDS) based passive metamaterial design for L band and C band applications.•The passive SDS metamaterial followed quadrupole resonance frequencies, and the SDS metamaterial manifest left-handed characteristics behaviour for L band and C band.•The developed SDS metamaterial can be applied in a wide range of applications such as wireless headphones (Bluetooth), garage door openers, wireless networking (Wi-Fi), keyless vehicle locks.