The six volumes of this set (they're contained within a sturdy box) each present comprehensive treatment of individual topics, making this a one-stop, updated reference for researchers. As an example of coverage, the volume titled Computers, software engineering, and digital devices contains 20 chapters, individually authored by an international group of scientists, that describe and define the topic in pithy, well-organized articles. Each chapter concludes with a short list of essential references and recommendations by the author for acquiring additional information. In each of the volumes, a second section contains concise summaries of the mathematics, symbols, and physical constants necessary to the topic. The other book titles are Sensors, nanoscience, biomedical engineering, and instruments; Systems, controls, embedded systems, energy, and machines; Electronics, power electronics, optoelectronics, microwaves, electromagnetics, and radar; Broadcasting and optical communication technology; and Circuits, signals and speech and image processing. Dorf is at the U. of California in Davis. The volumes are also sold individually. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)