Abstract: A real-time belt tension sensing system includes an engagement assembly that is adapted to remain in substantially continuous contact with a belt that is being driven in a conveyance or drive direction. As the belt is driven in the drive direction, it simultaneously causes the position of the engagement assembly to move in a slack direction that is substantially perpendicular to the drive direction. A tension sensor produces a slack position signal based on the current position of a portion of the engagement assembly. The slack position signal is transmitted to a controller or control circuit in electronic communication with the tension sensor. The control circuit interprets the slack position signal to produce a tension measurement.