A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer executable code that includes instructions to receive a signal representative of a gas turbine firing temperature. The code further includes instructions to convert the signal to an actuator signal to actuate a fuel valve supplying fuel to the gas turbine by following a first reference function. The first reference function includes a first boundary function, a second boundary function, or a combination thereof. The first boundary function maps a first value to a first temperature and the second boundary function maps a second value to a second temperature.