Suppose that n=2k is even. We study the cross-correlation function between two m-sequences for Niho type decimations d=(2/sup k/-1)s+1. We develop a new technique to study the value distribution of these cross-correlation functions, which makes use of Dickson polynomials. As a first application, we derive here the distribution of the six-valued cross-correlation function for s=3 and odd k, up to a term which depends on Kloosterman sums. In addition, applying simpler methods, we prove a theorem providing Niho type decimations with four-valued cross-correlation functions and their distribution. We conjecture that the latter result actually covers all such decimations.

In this paper, the notion of normal extension is introduced for bent functions, i.e., maximally nonlinear Boolean functions. We apply this concept to characterize when the direct sum of bent functions is normal, and we prove that the direct sum of a normal bent function and a nonnormal bent function is always nonnormal.

We show that the cross correlation between two ternary m-sequences of period 3/sup n/-1 that differ by the decimation d=2/spl middot/3/sup m/+1, where n=2m+1, takes on three different values. We conjecture the same result for the decimation d=2/spl middot/3/sup r/+1, where n is odd and r is defined by the condition 4r+1/spl equiv/0 mod n. These two new cases form in a sense ternary counterparts of two previously confirmed binary cases, the conjectures of Welch and Niho (1972).

We study [2m-1,2m]-binary linear codes whose weights lie between w0 and 2m-w0, where w0 takes the highest possible value. Primitive cyclic codes with two zeros whose dual satisfies this property actually correspond to almost bent power functions and to pairs of maximum-length sequences with preferred crosscorrelation. We prove that, for odd m, these codes are completely characterized by their dual distance and by their weight divisibility. Using McEliece's theorem we give some general results on the weight divisibility of duals of cyclic codes with two zeros; specifically, we exhibit some infinite families of pairs of maximum-length sequences which are not preferred.

We prove the long-standing conjecture of Welch stating that for odd n=2m+1, the power function x/sup d/ with d=2/sup m/+3 is maximally nonlinear on GF(2/sup n/) or, in other terms, that the crosscorrelation function between a binary maximum-length linear shift register sequence of degree n and a decimation of that sequence by 2/sup m/+3 takes on precisely the three values -1, -1/spl plusmn/2/sup m+1/.

We summarize the state of the classification of almost perfect nonlinear (APN) power functions x/sup d/ on GF(2/sup n/) and contribute two new cases. To prove these cases we derive new permutation polynomials. The first case supports a well-known conjecture of Welch stating that for odd n=2m+1, the power function x/sup 2m+3/ is even maximally nonlinear or, in other terms, that the crosscorrelation function between a binary maximum-length linear shift register sequence of degree n and a decimation of that sequence by 2/sup m/+3 takes on precisely the three values -1, -1/spl plusmn/2/sup m+1/.

In 1972 Niho gave various conjectures about the crosscorrelation between a binary maximum-length linear shift register sequence and a decimation of that sequence by an integer d. We prove that the crosscorrelation function for two new values of d takes on precisely three values and thereby confirm two of Niho's conjectures.