A simple method for estimating the latency of interactive, real-time graphics simulations

  • Authors:
  • Anthony Steed

  • Affiliations:
  • University College London

  • Venue:
  • Proceedings of the 2008 ACM symposium on Virtual reality software and technology
  • Year:
  • 2008

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Abstract

One of the critical determinants of the effectiveness and usability of interactive graphics simulations is the latency with which visual updates can be made based on input from interaction devices. High latency can diminish performance and can lead to simulator sickness. We demonstrate a new method for measuring latency using a standard video camera. The method is simple to configure, sensitive and rapid to use. This is in contrast to previous methods which required specialized equipment, were laborious or could only determine gross changes in latency. We attach a tracker to a pendulum and move a simulated image on the screen using the tracker positions. We video both the pendulum and simulated image together, and fit two sine curves, one to centre of motion of pendulum and one to the centre of motion of the simulated image. From the phase difference between these two sine curves we can determine latency changes significantly less than the frame rate of the camera. We demonstrate the method by comparing the latency of a two different systems for a CAVE™-like display.