Abstract. We describe and present a new construction method for codes using encodings from group rings. They consist primarily of two types: zero-divisor and unit-derived codes. Previous codes from group rings focused on ideals; for example cyclic codes are ideals in the group ring over a cyclic group. The fresh focus is on the encodings themselves, which only under very limited conditions result in ideals.We use the result that a group ring is isomorphic to a certain well-defined ring of matrices, and thus every group ring element has an associated matrix. This allows matrix algebra to be used as needed in the study and production of codes, enabling the creation of standard generator and check matrices.Group rings are a fruitful source of units and zero-divisors from which new codes result. Many code properties, such as being LDPC or self-dual, may be expressed as properties within the group ring thus enabling the construction of codes with these properties. The methods are general enabling the construction of codes with many types of group rings. There is no restriction on the ring and thus codes over the integers, over matrix rings or even over group rings themselves are possible and fruitful.

The unit-derived method in coding theory is shown to be a unique optimal scheme for constructing and analysing codes. In many cases efficient and practical decoding methods are produced. Codes with efficient decoding algorithms at maximal distances possible are derived from unit schemes. In particular unit-derived codes from Vandermonde or Fourier matrices are particularly commendable giving rise to mds codes of varying rates with practical and efficient decoding algorithms.For a given rate and given error correction capability, explicit codes with efficient error correcting algorithms are designed to these specifications. An explicit constructive proof with an efficient decoding algorithm is given for Shannon's theorem. For a given finite field, codes are constructed which are 'optimal' for this field.

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Algebraic systems are constructed from which series of maximum distance separable (mds) codes are derived. The methods use unit and idempotent schemes.

A general method for constructing convolutional codes from units in Laurent series over matrix rings is presented. Using group rings as matrix rings, this forms a basis for in-depth exploration of convolutional codes from group ring encodings, wherein the ring in the group ring is itself a group ring. The method is used to algebraically construct series of convolutional codes. Algebraic methods are used to compute free distances and to construct convolutional codes to prescribed distances.