In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling regeneration for an exhaust system including a particulate filter is provided, where the method includes determining a mass flow rate of oxygen, determining a particulate mass, providing information describing desired set point temperatures corresponding to oxygen mass flow rates and particulate mass values and determining a temperature set point for exhaust gas entering the particulate filter based on the mass flow rate of oxygen, the particulate mass and the information describing desired set point temperatures corresponding to oxygen mass flow rates and particulate mass values. The method further includes communicating a signal to control a parameter for at least one selected from the group consisting of: a hydrocarbon injector, a heating device and a fuel injector configured to provide hydrocarbon post-injection to a cylinder of the internal combustion engine, the controlling based on the determined temperature set point.