This paper proposes a practical method for the definition of multiple communication modes when antennas operate in the near-field region, by realizing ad-hoc beams exploiting the focusing capability of large antennas. The beamspace modeling proposed to define the communication modes is then exploited to derive expressions for the number of communication modes (i.e., degrees of freedom) in a generic setup, beyond the traditional paraxial approximation, together with closed-form definitions for the basis set at the transmitting and receiving antennas for several cases of interest, such as for the communication between a large antenna and a small antenna. Numerical results indicate that quasi-optimal communication can be obtained starting from focusing functions. This translates into the possibility of a significant enhancement of the channel capacity even in line-of-sight channel condition without the need of resorting to optimal but complex phase/amplitude antenna profiles as well as intensive numerical simulations. Traditional results valid under paraxial approximation are revised in light of the proposed modeling, showing that similar conclusions can be obtained from different perspectives.
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