Abstract: Multi-precision multiplication and squaring are the performance-critical operations for the implementation of public-key cryptography, such as exponentiation in RSA, and scalar multiplication in elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). In this paper, we provide a survey on the multi-precision multiplication and squaring techniques, and make special focus on the comparison of their performance and memory footprint on sensor nodes using 8-bit processors. Different from the previous work, our advantages are in at least three aspects. Firstly, this survey includes the existing techniques for multiprecision multiplication and squaring on sensor nodes over prime fields. Secondly, we analyze and evaluate each method in a systematic and objective way. Thirdly, this survey also provides suggestions for selecting appropriate multiplication and squaring techniques for concrete implementation of public-key cryptography. At the end of this survey, we propose the research challenges on efficient implementation of the multiplication and the squaring operations based on our observation.