Diesel oxidation catalyst outlet temperature control is crucial for heat management to realize diesel particulate filter active regenerative control. Combined with the actual characteristics of DOC to analyze and research the heat transfer process and chemical reaction characteristics in DOC, a first-order plus delay response model was established for the DOC carrier outlet temperature control. And the model was verified by the carrier test data on the engine bench. The relationships were described by a linear equation between the exhaust flow and thermal response time constant and a hyperbola equation with exhaust flow rate and delay time constant. According to the system characteristics, a PID control strategy was developed based on the internal model control structure, and the delay part of the system response used two order Pade non symmetry approximation method to substitute. Based on the internal model control structure, a filter was proposed to establish. The filter can regulate the response time and system stability. And by turning the parameter of filter, it can calculate the parameters of PID. The proposed control strategy was tested by engine test bench. To test a dynamic control effects, a continuous variety working condition with significantly changes in the exhaust flow and the entrance temperature of DOC for testing, the outlet temperature can be controlled within ±20℃ at the target temperature of 575℃. The test results proved that the strategy was effective to control the temperature of oxidation catalyst outlet, and the strategy can provide a rational thermal management for DPF active regeneration.