Depth sensing techniques for virtual, augmented, and mixed reality systems

A system comprising:

• an arbiter configured to receive a first request for a first type of depth measurement and a second request for a second type of depth measurement, the arbiter being configured to assign a first priority to the first request and a second priority to the second request, wherein the first type of depth measurement is performed by a depth sensor executing a sequence of common operation steps, and wherein the second type of depth measurement is performed by the depth sensor executing the sequence of common operation steps and one or more dummy operation steps;
• and
• a processor configured to cause the depth sensor to first obtain the first type of depth measurement, by performing the common operation steps, if the first priority is higher than the second priority, or to cause the depth sensor to first obtain the second type of depth measurement, by performing the common operation steps and the one or more dummy operation steps, if the second priority is higher than the first priority.