This article is concerned with the problems of positive real analysis and control synthesis for discrete-time systems. New linear matrix inequality (LMI) characterisations of positive realness are derived, which enable one to check the positive realness by using parameter-dependent Lyapunov function. The relationship between the proposed characterisations and the existing ones are clarified, which shows that our new results are of less conservatism for characterising the positive realness of discrete-time systems with polytopic uncertainty. In addition, sufficient conditions for static output feedback positive real controller design are given in terms of solutions to a set of linear matrix inequalities. Numerical examples are included for illustration.