A Survey on Almost Difference Sets

Let $G$ be an additive group of order $v$. A $k$-element subset $D$ of $G$ is called a $(v, k, \lambda, t)$-almost difference set if the expressions $gh^{-1}$, for $g$ and $h$ in $D$, represent $t$ of the non-identity elements in $G$ exactly $\lambda$ times and every other non-identity element $\lambda+1$ times. Almost difference sets are highly sought after as they can be used to produce functions with optimal nonlinearity, cyclic codes, and sequences with three-level autocorrelation. This paper reviews the recent work that has been done on almost difference sets and related topics. In this survey, we try to communicate the known existence and nonexistence results concerning almost difference sets. Further, we establish the link between certain almost difference sets and binary sequences with three-level autocorrelation. Lastly, we provide a thorough treatment of the tools currently being used to solve this problem. In particular, we review many of the construction methods being used to date, providing illustrative proofs and many examples.