Analyzing Head-Mounted AR Device Energy Consumption on a Frame Rate Perspective

As mobile computing platforms, head-mounted displays (HMDs) for augmented reality (AR) applications, similar to other mobile computing platforms, face challenges in minimizing their energy usage. While not yet as pervasive as smartphones, we can envision that more useful everyday AR applications can arise as we allow HMDs to enjoy longer operation times. This work takes a first step in designing an application- transparent energy management layer within the AR HMD graphics stack. We point out that one aspect that impacts the HMD lifetime is the frame rate at which AR objects are rendered and displayed. Using the Microsoft Hololens platform we propose a scheme to analyze objects' motion dynamics and respectively control the frame rate while meeting a target user perception. We see this work as a preliminary step towards understanding and improving the operational lifetime for AR HMDs.